Read
Don't Brag
1 Don't brag about tomorrow!
Each day brings
its own surprises.
2Don't brag about yourself—
let others praise you.
Reflect
You may notice a trend in these two verses, almost a pattern, if you will. Two simple words begin each new thought: “Don’t brag.” Don’t brag about tomorrow, and don’t brag about yourself.
It doesn’t say don’t plan, think, or dream about tomorrow. But it does say don’t brag about it. No matter how elaborate your dreams or plans may be, only God knows whether or not they will come to pass, so instead of dwelling on them, and telling everyone about how great you’ll be, just focus on the present and all the blessings you already have.
Of course, if the first verse had been all alone, we might’ve gotten the impression that tomorrow was off limits, but we can brag till our faces turn blue about the present and past. And yet, the verse isn’t alone. It is immediately followed by the instruction: “Don’t brag about yourself.”
We’ve all done things we’re proud of and have memories that make us smile, but we’ve also all been in a conversation with someone who thinks just a bit too highly of themselves and believes every topic should somehow revolve around them and their experiences. And this kind of person is quite difficult to be around.
In contrast, this verse isn’t saying you must never think or speak of yourself at all. C.S. Lewis described the balance well when he said, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”
And at the end of the day, if you need to brag about something, follow Paul’s lead and brag about Jesus (Galatians 6:14).
Respond
Omniscient Father, you are worthy of all praise. Thank you for walking with me through my past and present, and promising to remain with me into my future and forevermore. Keep me from boasting about anything but you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Larissa Benfey
Larissa is a Toronto based actor and writer who has dabbled in everything from scripts to short stories, and is now setting her sights on novels. Having studied English and history at Tyndale University and Seminary, she loves a good story, but her favorite stories always have happy endings - which is part of why she loves the true story of the Gospel so much.