Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs Part 49—If You Could Have Two Wishes
If you could narrow down all your requests to God to only two, what would they be?
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As it were Agur was standing before God and did just that, let’s see what did he ask for.
Proverbs 30: (AMP) 7 Two things have I asked of You [O Lord]; deny them not to me before I die: (GNV) 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me not poverty, nor riches: feed me with food convenient for me
In my search, I found that rather than the words “deny them not to me before I die” it should perhaps read: Septuagint, "Take not grace (χάριν) from me before I die." Yet, either way, it was a simple man’s plea for continued grace and favor before God. He has just humbly bowed before God in the previous verses acknowledging his utter unworthiness and lack of understanding before God. He has come in complete humility and with awe of God’s Wisdom, Beauty and Grace. Seeing God’s Glory, although in the finiteness of his own ability in this human form has brought Agur to this point. He then requests that God give him these two things that he might remain in this state of awareness of overflowing grace throughout his life. He never wants his heart to stray again. He knows the temptations of his own heart that could lead him away and his plea to God is just to “let me stay here—in love with you. Let me never lose the wonder and awe of You, Lord.” So, what were these two requests?
1. Keep me free from vanity and lies. Don’t let me lose sight of the truth that I am nothing without the grace and wisdom of God flowing through my veins. Let me never forget that this journey is all about God and not about me; yet, the miracle of all miracles is when I recognize that—God makes much about me—imparting His grace, His joy, His love and even His glory. Don’t let the lies of this world tear me from this place of contentment and rest with you. It is no wonder that Agur’s plea was don’t let me move from this moment. Don’t let the lies of this self-exalting heart that beats in my chest get in the way of Your truth, Lord.
2. Don’t give me neither too much wealth nor too much poverty—give me each day what I need. Let me trust in You, Lord for all that I need. I don’t want the temptation that comes with wealth, nor do I want the temptations that hunger may bring. Can you say that? Are you content and tranquil with whatever God has given you?
Philippians 4: (AMP) 7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that [a]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall [b]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
So, let me ask you again. If you could narrow down all your requests to God to only two, what would they be?
Sometimes, like Agur, I desire to just sit at His feet; knowing that the minute I walk out that door into the world my mind will be bombarded by Satan’s lies. Wouldn’t I praise Him better, if I could just stay here? At least then I couldn’t mess things up. Yet, then, who would go to tell the world of His Mercy and His Grace?
This is a poem I wrote many years ago that sums up this thought- as a reminder to me as well.
A TALK WITH GOD
Oh, let me Lord delight in You
And lay all else I hold aside
For no desire could mean as much
As hear Your voice, to feel your touch
And in Your arms abide
I feel the safety of your arms
Surrounding me throughout each storm
And when the bitter winter wind
Would bid my very spirit bend
Your breath will keep me warm
Forgive me Lord, this fragile heart
Sometimes desires too much
Forgetting You are all I need
Then comes my tears, my plead
To stop and feel Your touch
I then can hear your gentle laugh
The love within Your voice
“My child I love you evermore
My gifts on you I freely pour
The best for you my choice”
Oh, Lord I want to stay right here
And sit here at Your feet
To never step away from You
And then I cannot lose my view
No chance for fear, defeat
“But child I ask then who would go
To tell the wounded broken heart
That I their lonely heart would mend
If not but you, who can I send?
If you refuse to start”
Then Father, Dear, I must say yes
To go and run Your bidding do
And You will cast aside my fears
Your hand will wipe away my tears
And keep my eyes on You
I know that You go with me now
You’re ever present in my heart
I feel Your joy arise within
I feel Your wondrous strength again
Your love will ne’er depart
I love this song by Matt Redman, Mercy
Amplified Bible (AMP)
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© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
1599 Geneva Bible(GNV)
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