It was a day where I was physically spent but could not shut off my mind. I completed my time in Joshua and then turned to the Book of Proverbs. Specifically, I turned to Proverbs 30, as it corresponded with today’s date.

Again I read words beyond familiar:

Two things I ask of you [Lord]; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; 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. (Pr 30:7-9, ESV)

Two things:

• Separate me from lying & liars
• Provide what I need, not necessarily what I sometimes want

These words from the pen of Agur are beyond wise; they’re (to use trendy parlance) meta-wise. They’re super-wisdom, meta-wisdom.

Reasons why:

• The ruin that comes by way of lies & liars
• The false promises of stuff to satisfy our deepest needs

It’s such a short & fundamental thing, really, when I step back and think about it: Don’t fall for the lies or liars; and cultivate what you truly need, not what appears appealing or flashes before the eyes of the undiscerning/gullible.

So basic, but so wise. Kind of like Proverbs–wisdom for daily living in this fallen world.

My inarticulate prayer: Lord, Enable your people to hear what your Spirit says. Crush the heads of the serpents that slither in the halls of religiosity. Raise up warriors for truth and shepherding. For Your great name’s sake. Amen.