Reading Reflection:
August 9, 2011
The City of God, St. Augustine (The Modern Library, 2000)
Although this particular edition that I have is from 2000, Augustine was an ordained priest at Hippo, and completed this book in the year 426. I read this book years ago, but I like to pick it up every now and then for a little spiritual snack. Today I read this from p. 577:
For this reason, “let not the prudent glory in his prudence, and let not the mighty glory in his might, and let not the rich glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this—to understand and know the Lord, and to do judgment and justice in the midst of the earth.” He in no small measure understands and knows the Lord who understands and knows that even this,that he can understand and know the Lord, is given to him by the Lord. “For what hast thou,” saith the apostle, “that thou hast not received? But if thou hast received it, why dost thou glory as if thou hast not received it?”
This just led me to be so thankful for what I do know and understand about God. I am so thankful that he has given us prophets and priests and kings that have pointed toward his Son Jesus Christ. I am immeasurably thankful for the life Jesus led, the death he endured, his glorious resurrection, the apostles he commissioned, the gift of his Holy Spirit, and the inauguration of his kingdom. I am thankful for the men and women who faithfully carried the apostle’s letters to the now infamous first churches, and those who have died to preserve them. I am thankful for the brave martyrs who have stood firm in the fight to keep his church pure. And I am thankful for God creating new life in me, giving me the faith to see his irresistible grace. I am thankful for his enduring word that will not fade. I am thankful for his promise. And I am thankful for his covenantal love bestowed on his people. I am thankful to be one of those people. And I am thankful that he is so great, so immense, that I will forever continue to learn more of him for eternity. 
