“The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance. This man declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal: 2 Surely I am more stupid than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man. 3 I neither learned wisdom nor have knowledge of the Holy One. 4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, If you know?5 Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. 6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. 7 Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 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.” Proverbs 30:1-9 NKJV
Lord God,
The NKJV chronological study Bible places the last few chapters of Proverbs here next to Job. I have sort of skirted over them previously. Agur the son of Jakeh, Ithiel and Ucal are not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible and indeed the scholars say their names are not typically seen in any of the tribes of Israel. But they are included as part of Your Word. He begins with questions many ask. Can man get into heaven? Who can hold the wind or wrap up the sea or establish the world? Only God. Then he considers what to ask this pure God.
Two Things. To not be able to lie or misrepresent the truth and to have enough to live, no more no less. Why? So he will not profane (disrespect?) Your name O God. Would that be my requests? What two things would I ask for to not disrespect You Lord? That are not selfish, benefit just me or stop me trusting You?
Agur the wise. And then Jesus comes and confirms how to live godly wise lives: “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.“ Matthew 5:37 “Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:13 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,” Luke 16:10-11 “You cannot serve God and mammon” (riches). Matthew 6:24 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 I think I will ask of You the same as Agur today.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 29th August 2026
Being better will not make God love me more -he already loves me absolutely. Enough to give Jesus for me. But looking at all he has given me I just want to please Him.
This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.
Musical Interlude . . .
This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
The battle is not done
Jesus who died will be satisfied
And earth and heaven be one.
This is my Father world,
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!
Lyrics: Maltbie D Babcock