DATE WRITTEN: Thursday, 2020-11-19
WRITTEN AT: Paul B Johnson State Park, Hattiesburg, MS

BIBLE REFERENCE: Proverbs 30:7-9
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)

BIBLE TEXT: ⁷ O God, I beg two favors from you before I die: ⁸ First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs! ⁹ For if I grow rich, I may become content without God. And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.

OBSERVATION: I believe that if a classroom filled with adults was asked what were their two greatest wishes, there would be quite am array of responses. As we meditate on these words from Solomon, perhaps it might come to the forefront of your mind what you might ask God for, if given the opportunity. I’m sure your requests will be impacted by what Solomon asked for, but try listing the first two things that come to mind.

APPLICATION: As we draw near to the Christmas season, we are reminded how kids take this opportunity to tell Santa Claus how good they’ve been and give intricate details about the most important things on their list that they want for Christmas. However, as we sit with our Lord and look closely into how good we are, we can’t help but compare our actions, and our lives, with that of our perfect God. Friends, I don’t believe we could possibly ask for physical or worldly items when there is so much at stake spiritually. Solomon was a king who was the envy of all kings and queens. He was the wisest man on earth and he had every thing on earth that anyone might desire, yet when he stopped and spoke with the Creator of the world, the designer and maker of you and I, he was humbled and could only look deep inside his soul and humbly ask God for two things that could help him become better aligned with his Maker. Way too often we are filled with envy for our neighbor, or our relative, who seems to have everything on earth that could possibly make them happy. So we come before God asking that He would help us be like them, instead of asking that we be more like the God of this universe. The only time I believe that God will ask about our earthly possessions is, whether we shared them with others in need. I once heard a relative wish that they could be freed from the burden of earthly debt so that they could have available cash to give to God and the needy that are roaming our streets. So as we ponder the Scriptures this morning, and as we seek the face of God in deep concern for which way He would have us navigate today, I wonder what He might be saying to you in response to the two most important things on your mind today? Will He be pleased that the Scripture is truly speaking to You in ways that will draw you closer to Himself? Or will He conclude that the Scriptures are truly molding your mind and your character as you are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Jesus daily? Do your part dear friend, speak with God on a regular basis – tell Him about the condition of your heart and mind, and ask Him to lead you in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake. Let Him know that you desire a closer relationship with Him. Then as you read the Word, be ready for His directions and His mind-provoking questions that will help you look deep inside. Remember, He created you and He wants you to be just like Him. Let Him do His work in you dear friend, and be ready to act upon His guidance and His instructions.

PRAYER: Listen to the cries of Your children today Lord Jesus as we seek Your help, Your guidance and Your instructions on how we might best align our lives with Yours. Lord, I believe that You are well aware of the tug that this world has on Your precious children, so I beg with You to help us gain a true change of heart, and protect us from the wickedness of this world, so that we might see the glories of heaven and of life eternally with You. We are so weak, but praise be to God, we serve an awesome God who is big enough and strong enough to direct our path and lead us into righteousness. We implore You Lord, to rest Your powerful hand upon us and pour out Your power and Your strength on us to enable us to walk with confidence in the ways of the cross. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog at https://NuggetsFromGodsWord.org that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and see all of my posts, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!