S: 1Corinthians 1:31NIV- Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
O: This is Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth. He starts this letter by thanking them for their strength, and their spiritual gifting. He reminds them to be strong to the end so they will be blameless when Jesus returns. After that, the letter takes an interesting turn as he addresses division in the church, because some people choose to follow Paul, some Apollos, some Cephas, while others follow Jesus. Paul addresses this concern by telling them there is no division in Christ Jesus. He goes on to say that all strength and wisdom are found in God alone not man, and that God uses the foolish and weak things of this world to confound the wise and the strong. He ends his correction of the church by encouraging them, if they desire a reason to boast about anything, "boast in the Lord."
A: This is one of those humility check verses in my life, because when things are going well, people want to direct their praise somewhere. All too often, if the praise is directed at you, it's easy to believe you are responsible for something that has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with God. I've found so many times, that God will use the least qualified individual to accomplish the task at hand. I usually know when God wants me to do something, because I know upon request, I'm the least qualified to do it. In the past I would allow fear to overwhelm me when these responsibilities where delegated to me, but now it's become and ongoing joke between me and God. Though I have a love hate relationship with being given responsibilities that I have no idea how to accomplish, they allow the greatest opportunities for me to boast about God. Preaching probably makes me laugh the most, because God chose the quiet introvert to proclaim His Gospel. I find it funny that if God were to actually interview us for a job, it would be the only resume we would ever turn in that list all the reasons we shouldn't get the job. The craziest part is that God looks at that resume and says, "Your hired!" Gods only interested in hiring employees He knows He can get the glory through. We were created for one reason and one reason only, to give glory to God. If you feel unqualified today, you are the perfect candidate to point people in His direction. If we must boast, boast in the Lord.
P: God You are great and worthy to be praised. Thank You that my lack of qualifications makes me the perfect candidate to give You glory. Where I am weak You are strong. Amen.
