Danny Fourie

“Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:7-9

Agur does not depend on riches and he does not glorify poverty. He prays to be spared both. This says a lot to us. Only strong legs can carry riches, but one’s legs must even be stronger to carry the poverty. Do we have such strong legs? What pride can originate in riches? What rebellion can arise from poverty? One can become afraid of that.

Agur does not depend on riches and he does not glorify poverty. Why not? There is something in his life that exceeds earthly riches and poverty. That is the fear of the Lord. Agur is rich in God. He knows God as his loyal Father. The Father who bestowed his grace on him and looks after his wellbeing. In this, we find Agur’s secret for life. Above the earthly life stands the eternal life. The intimate way in which Agur speaks to the Lord is apparent. As a child communicates with his father, in the same way Agur has a relationship with God. This, he would not give up for anything in the world.

Today it is still the same. If you know Christ, your riches are in Him. Jesus Christ took our poverty on Him and in return for that He gave us his riches. If you have earthly riches, you have a lot. But if you have God as Father, you have everything. If you miss earthly poverty, you miss a lot. But if you miss God as Father, you miss everything.

Agur also prays to be spared from falsehood and lies. He knows himself and knows how insincere and devious his heart can be. Also when he prays. Therefore the Lord must keep him from falsehood that he may be able to mean what he says and prays.

Agur’s prayer is one that we can repeat in our prayers. One’s life can be vain, hollow and empty. One’s heart can be filled with lies. Even our prayers. Therefore we should pray: Make me honest and sincere in my prayers.

Prayer: Lord, each one of us knows our heart, how easily we can stray from you, how easily we can be false. Keep us from falsehood. Help us to live with a sincere heart, filled with the fear of the Lord. Amen.