There is a pattern of thought revealed here that is worth understanding. It is about the focus of our minds, of our affections, of our very lives themselves. There is much in this life that beckons us to rejoice in its pleasure, much that calls us to delight in its worth, much that demands that we glory in its very nature... but all of it is nothing but emptiness and pride. We consistently seek to exalt our own achievements, (the endless parade of empty, smug, self-congratulatory Hollywood awards shows should be proof enough of that) because we generally want people to be impressed with US. After all, WE are generally impressed with us... but truth calls us to be delighted in something different. Truth aims us at the fact that the ONLY thing worth exalting in is that we know God; that the ways and nature of the Almighty have been made clear to us; that wonderously, He has condescended to know us! If we will learn to see the innate value in this reality, that God has made Himself known to us, then the glorious truth of just WHO He is will be spread across the landscape of our lives. This God who has revealed Himself, is filled with loving-kindness; this is revealed by the very truth that He allows us to know Him. But more, he is also actively administering truth, judgment and mercy. He does this because these great principles delight Him. He does this because He IS GOOD. We are the beneficiaries of that limitless goodness, of that massive outpouring of grace. And it is absolutely fitting that we rejoice, that we delight, that we GLORY in that beautiful fact. God, the creator and sustainer of all things, has condescended to love us! In all of this crazy life, it is truly the only thing in which it is worth glorying!!