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Thus says the Lord:
Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom,
Do not let the mighty boast in their might,
Do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth;
but let those who boast boast in this,
that they understand and know me,
that I am the Lord;
I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness
in the earth,
for in these things I delight, says the Lord.Jeremiah 9:23-24
“Thus says the Lord:
Stand at the crossroads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way lies; and walk in it,
and find rest for your soul.”
Jeremiah 6:16
We get a wonderful glimpse into the nature of God’s Kingdom in the opening chapter of the Gospel of Luke, especially in Mary’s Magnificat — Luke 1:46-55 — her song of celebration when Elizabeth recognized that Mary was carrying the Christ in her womb:
My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant….
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
There is more, but these verses were enough for me. I turned them into this prayer:
Lord,
May we not be proud, but humble.
May we not be rich, but hungry.
Hungry — so that you may fill us with good things.
Let us rejoice in you, and know your joy.
Let us rest in you, and trust you to do the mighty deeds.
Help us to live faithful lives, day after day, from generation to generation.
May we come to see things as you do, though it turns them upside-down.