Thought for the Day

We have already seen that Agur began teaching Ithiel and Ucal by confessing his own limitations, by rhetorical questions, and by statements of faith. He next instructed them by praying. The cry of Agur's heart demonstrates the kind of prayer that pleases God. Desiring a pure heart, he asked God to remove from him all falsehood and lies. Falsehood includes conformity to anything that is not true, such as false beliefs, ideas, or suppositions. "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom" (Psalm 51:6). His prayer revealed the importance of desiring to know and conform to the truth that one might not sin against God.

Next, Agur asked God to supply his needs in such a way as would make him neither rich nor poor. His prayer taught his disciples to ask for their needful bread, much as Jesus taught His disciples to ask for their daily bread. It taught them that certain temptations come with both wealth and poverty, and to ask not to be led into those temptations that they might avoid sin and honor God. Being full, whether of food or pleasures, can easily cause one to forget God, and become distracted with pleasure and things. It also causes men to trust and find their security in money instead of God. The greatest danger in poverty is desperation. Poverty hangs over people like a black cloud, causing fear, self-pity, discouragement, hopelessness, and depression. The desperate are tempted to resort to such things as stealing, gambling, lying, peddling drugs, or prostitution to survive.

Agur saw the ways in which both poverty and riches tempt one to turn from God. The Apostle Paul found that through the Spirit he could overcome those temptations; that he could do all things through Christ and be content, whether enduring need for the sake of the Gospel, or enjoying abundance. "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:11-13). He learned to rely on God to meet his every need. God desires that we also learn to trust Him in all things. "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:31-33).