Pride is one of the so-called “seven deadly sins”. (Well, actually all sins are deadly. I’m not sure why these seven get extra attention.) So why is David commanding the people to boast in today’s verse?
Boasting about myself is pride. Boasting about someone else can be a loving act. I say “can” because often boasting about someone else is actually meant to reflect back on the boaster. For example, a parent may boast about a child, expecting adulation for the masterful way the child was raised and trained.
But if the boasting is done with a loving and sincere motive, it can be wonderful for everyone. For example, if you are genuinely impressed with the skills, character, or accomplishments of a co-worker, boasting about them to your boss would be loving and generous.
David tells me to boast about God. What a great idea! I hadn’t ever really thought about that. I genuinely am impressed quite often by God’s skills, character, and accomplishments. He is so beautiful, loving, wise, creative… He made everything, and it all works so amazingly well. There is so much to boast about. And none of it reflects on me. I didn’t do anything to make God be as great as He is. So, boast away!
Dear God,
I want to learn how to boast about you to people without being weird or off-putting. There are so many wonderful things about you and your creation to boast about. Show me ways I can proclaim these good things as I notice them so others see and appreciate your beauty too.
CamDevo 