Psalms 28:1-3; 8:1; 31:1-4

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Psalm 34. The Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind in verse 2:

Psalms 34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

To boast is to praise excessively, to glory, joy, or rejoice. Boasting is a response to what inspires us to admiration. Not all boasting is proud.

Paul boasted to others of his praise for the readiness of the Corinthians to give to the needs of the saints (2 Corinthians 9:2), and regarded any boast he might make regarding the authority given to him and those with him to edify (build up), and not to destroy as appropriate (2 Corinthians 10:8). Paul determined that he would not boast beyond what would be justified (2 Corinthians 10:13), never taking credit (boasting) for another man’s accomplishments (2 Corinthians 10:16). The esteemed, and often demeaned Apostle to the Gentiles begged the saints to make room for some little boasting on his part—let the saints allow one to boast in what God has wrought in and through him (2 Corinthians 11:16).

Along the still waters, I continued reflecting on the truth not all boasting is proud. But all Christian boasting must be to the glory of our LORD. Say with David, “My soul shall make her boast in the LORD” (Psalm 34:2). Paul’s boasting was “in the LORD.” When he boasted of the saints, or of his authority or example, it was to glorify Christ Jesus our LORD.

When the humble hear our boasting in the LORD, they will be made glad. But the boast of saints angers the prideful. They think “we take too much upon ourselves,” or “speak to highly of ourselves.” They don’t understand that we are rejoicing in what GOD has and is doing in and through our lives, and the testimony of others.

In the valley, kneeling in the shadow of His Cross and the Spirit reminded me of Paul’s testimony to the Galatians: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Galatians 6:14). The word glory is used here to translate the same Greek word rendered boast in every example given earlier. O my soul, boast thou in the Cross.

The Spirit filled my soul like a rising tide as the voice of many waters spoke: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

At the table, my Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ, poured upon my head His fresh oil, and filled my cup with the day’s challenges mingled with His sufficient grace, and today’s supply of renewed compassions (Lamentations 3:22-23). Goodness and mercy followed me as I followed my Shepherd into the harvest for today’s labor.

Praying for revival! 🙏