Sometimes life is a perfect summer with breezy days, pleasant temperatures and just enough rain to keep the vegetables growing and the flowers blooming. The blessings of God seem to especially flow at times like these: good health, success in business, friendships are easy, temptations are less powerful, joy and peace flood the heart - everything rolls along smoothly.
But then a cloud or two appears above the ridge line, and the cold air begins to sweep down the hillside. Life turns into a hard winter: bitter cold days, biting winds, snow storms and freezing rain. Nothing seems to be good: health wanes, business is a struggle, the spouse is distant, the neighbor complains, temptations are strong, fear and doubt are constant companions.
Agur has a prayer which addresses the extremes of life. (Please take a moment to read our text). He asks God not to make him rich because there is a great temptation when everything is good and a person is “full.” He will begin to think (contrary to all that he knows in his heart that is true) that God had no part in preparing the bountiful table before him. He looks at the gift and not the Giver.
Agur also asks God not to bring him to poverty where he must beg for then he will be tempted to steal and thus “profane the name of my God.” In dire need he will also tend to forget his God and focus upon that which he does not have rather than the Giver who can provide everything which he needs.
In contrast to these two extremes, Agur asks for “the food which is my portion.” In other words, he prays that God will give him just what he needs - a good balance in life.
In times of wellness and sickness, in plenty and in want, in turmoil and peace, in sadness and joy, there is the ever present temptation to forget the One who always rules and who rules in and over all the circumstances of life. Whether we are experiencing the blessing or the “curse,” let us remember that it is God who is ruling over all things and to seek Him with our whole heart.
><> Jeff
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