Proverbs 30:8b-9: “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”
Do I pray like this? I wonder.
Because under this seemingly simple request I see a deeper heart-posture—one that longs more than anything to live a life that honors God.
This particular chapter of Proverbs was written not by Solomon, but by someone named Agur. That’s about all scholars know about the man.
But here is a man that knows that a life of abundance might be too tempting for him. He might be tempted to rely on himself and trust in his possessions instead of the God who gave them.
Here is a man who fears not poverty itself, but that in his want he might dishonor God.
Here is a man bold enough to pray for only what is needful for him to remain faithful to God.
Sister, have our hearts learned to love God so much that we can pray like this? If I’m honest, I’m not there yet. Not all the time, anyway.
Perhaps we can take a baby-step by praying today, “Father, I know what my heart so desperately desires, and I openly share those desires with You. But even then, grant me what is needful for me, and teach me to trust Your answers. Give me no more and no less than Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Until next time,
Shelby
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