Proverbs 30:7-9

I wrote this one a year or so ago. It is interesting to see changes God has made in our lives, ultimately we did end up loosing the house, but God provided buyers so we could short sell instead of being foreclosed. He provided another place for us to live, smaller, and one that brought this close knit family even closer ... amazing. And He is still teaching us to lean upon Him by keeping us paycheck to paycheck. I must say, these past 20 months have been so very difficult, yet I wouldn't change a moment of them. Maybe one day, when we have learned to keep Him this close to us, He will grant us again some of what He had to take. But if given the choice between being financially secure with every need excessively met and a casual relationship with God, or eating Ramon noodles so that the electric bill can be paid, but living at the feet of God, I would choose the latter.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Good day to all. ... No wait, that isn't good enough. One of the things that I have always noted and loved was the greetings that each of the letters gave to the readers. They were heart felt and beautiful. I think we have lost the art of greeting people. I know that Hello or Good day Mate, really do suffice on most days, but not today, not to you, and most definitely not to my God. So let me try this again. (Just between us though, I am completely taking Paul's greetings to the Thessalonians, the first letter, and copying them for you. He just really knew how to say hello)  To my brothers and sisters In God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (There now that is much better)
 
Today I was watching a video clip that addressed Proverbs 30:7-9 and it issued a challenge to Americans, which of course made me want to ponder upon it for a bit. The challenge was simple. Would you pray for this? Now I realize that there may be some of you, who like me, don't know off the top of your heads what those verses say, so I will write them here, but I will go back a few verses. Proverbs 30:5-9 "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches -- Feed me with the food allotted to 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." Hmm, I had to stop and think upon that. Basically Agur, who wrote this, was saying God control my mouth, prevent me from speaking any falsehoods or lies. Take my mouth and make it Yours. He is petitioning for 2 things that for all intents and purposes was more of a plead then a petition one control my mouth and two my provisions. God don't give me too much that I no longer need to rely on you and only you and don't give me so little that I end up stealing, thus profaning You and Your name. Think about that for a moment. The prayer can be broken down to an even more simple statement. God keep me honestly Yours give me just enough to live paycheck to paycheck, never having more then my needs met, leaving me dependent on only You. Okay, who wants to jump on this challenge bandwagon with me? Any show of hands out there? Now, I say that slightly light heartedly, but don't let that take away from what Agur is saying, nor what this challenge is proposing.
 
One thing that has really be pulling at my heart is that there is a part of me that knows that I need to pray that. That I should for my own sake pray that. That God wants my heart to live that prayer. Then there is this side of me, it is almost a soft voice, whispering delicately in my ear. What if what He gives you isn't enough? What if you end up loosing the house? Ouch, I hate that little voice that speaks so sweetly the doubts that I fight every day. Some days I honestly do wish that I could just reach into my own mind and heart and just jack slap that voice and hand it some eviction papers. But the truth is, I am probably living outside of God's desire for me. Ouch, another slap. Then again that isn't for me to determine is it? It isn't for me to decide what God does and does not want for me. So the bottom line is. Will I just trust him? Will I place my every single need in His hands? Will I accept it when He goes through my life and says "no, this wasn't what I wanted for you" and takes it from me? Will I praise Him for it? Or, will I whine about it? (I hate to admit it, but the odds are better for the latter, but I pray for the former.) Will I stop worrying about my future, my next bill, my next meal, and just live in this moment completely trusting my God for my every need? I can honestly say, that maybe not completely today, but I will remind myself daily, no, hourly, possibly minute by minute to just do it. I do intend to pray this prayer, perhaps after I have had a chance to share this with my husband and hear his wisdom. After all, he would be bound to this prayer as well, and he is my head.
 
Normally this would be the time that I issue my own challenge to you. But, this isn't for me to issue to you. Instead I ask you to read Proverbs 30:1-9 for yourself and search your own heart, praying, and listening to what God reveals to you.
 
May God richly bless you as you seek more of Him.
Ady