But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:24—NIV)

Any parent will tell you life goes much more smoothly when children know and do what makes the parents happy. Funny thing that children often get the knowing part right, it is the doing which often alludes them.

Paul actually quotes a part of this verse once in each of his books to the Corinthian church. The first time is in the context of foolish boasting over spiritual credentials. His burden in 1 Corinthians 1:31 is to remind the believers that God often chooses the unnoteworthy in order that Christ may be noticeable to the world. Let Christ shine not you.

The second of his quotes is in 2 Corinthians 10:17 where Paul is addressing the authenticity of his call as an apostle. Others were attacking what they perceived as weakness according to human qualifiers in such things as his appearance. He speaks of the seriousness of the battle for hearts in the realm of ideas and that in such an arena human comparisons of worthiness are worthless. All that matters is serving as God equips.Let Christ shine through you.

The original quote from Jeremiah is rich with instruction. The Hebrew word for glory comes from the root idea of "shine", to boast, to praise (the first part of hallelujah). What is to shine forth from your lips and life is understanding (to look at thoughtfully and gain wisdom) and knowing (to observe with a purpose with our senses engaged) God. This is a life-long drawing near to our Sovereign God. The pursuit takes place throughout all the agonies and ecstasies of humble obedience at His beck and call. The praise that arises from practiced and well-tuned instruments of His grace is worthy of the majesty due His Name.

The subject of this knowledge is what delights Him. The thought behind the word delight is "to bend, to be inclined fully." That which delights our Creator is His exercise of lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness on the earth. We think of exercise as an exertion of effort, in His case it is a "carrying into effect" of these superlative acts. He successfully bears Himself toward the objects of His grace with loving, kind administration, exercising justice and absolute fairness.

It is the duty of His servants to shine forth freely His light in the darkness of this earth as they sensibly experience His covenantal love throughout the good and the bad common to the sons of Adam. "Let your light so shine…." (Matthew 5:16)