Our culture takes pride in our learning, technology and wealth. Yet God says, “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches” (Jeremiah 9:23).

Instead, He tells us: “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” (v. 24). When we understand and know God— and when we exercise His attributes in our own lives—He guides us through every situation.

The first attribute He names is lovingkindness— that wonderful covenant love He has toward His people. And this is love: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We didn’t think of salvation; it was His idea to redeem us.

When I was dying of cerebral malaria years ago, I learned something that I wouldn’t trade for any other experience. I had to surrender to God completely and learn that—no matter what we face—He is Lord, and all His acts are a loving kindness. We can trust Him even when we don’t understand our circumstances.

God says in Zechariah 13:9, “I … will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested.” How is this accomplished? In the fire. When we are under pressure, any sinful attitudes in our hearts are exposed. God uses these times to refine us and set us free from anger and bitterness. He cleanses us so that we can have a right spirit. We want everything within us to be acceptable in His sight. The purpose of our struggles is to be refined. He wants to bring forth silver and gold.

God then says: “They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; and each one will say, ‘ The Lord is my God’” (v. 9). Our relationship with God is precious to Him; is it precious to us?

When God gave instructions for the Feast of Pentecost – called the Feast of Weeks – the only offering required was the peace offering. It was an offering made by fire, not made because of guilt, but to fellowship in God’s presence. Leviticus 9:22-24 records that when Aaron made the first offerings on the altar of the Holy Place, fire came down from the Lord to consume the sacrifices. Significantly, on the Day of Pentecost, tongues of fire came down from heaven and settled on the believers (see Acts 2:3).

That fire is still burning today, “for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). The more we know Him and yield to Him, the more we can give Him glory and walk in a manner worthy of our calling.