Two authors of scripture, among many, have had a profound influence on my devotional writing. I thought perhaps today might be a good morning to share with you why I write from my heart as well as what is on my mind while I am writing. I have often stated that I not only write for the encouragement of my readers, but often I am writing things that I, too, need to read. Perhaps this is such a time.
From the Wisdom of Agur
Proverbs 30:7-9 (NIV) “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 dishonor the name of my God.”
Agur wanted two things—he wanted truth, not lies and falsehood. In our modern times we are inundated with anything and everything with most things contrary to the truth. King Solomon warned us that God created mankind to be upright but instead, mankind went in search of their many schemes (cf. Ecclesiastes 7:29). Isaiah warned us to seek the LORD while he could be found and to call on him while he is near and to forsake the thoughts of the unrighteous (cf. Isaiah 55:6-7). Amos warned us that there would be a time of great famine, not of food or water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD (cf. Amos 8:11-12). Is it any wonder that Agur prayed for God to give him truth? Is this not also the very prayer that grips our hearts today—that God would help us know what is right and true according to his Word?
Agur also asked God to grant him “just enough.” Not too much, not too little, but just what was needed for sustaining daily life. Too much—and the temptation might be to disown the LORD and think we can do it on our own. Too little—and the temptation might be to steal what is not our own. For me as a writer, this translates well when putting the Wisdom of James into action.
From the Wisdom of James
James 1:5 (KJV) If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
I truly enjoy the words of the “old fashioned” King James version. God gives his wisdom to anyone who would ask, and not only that, he gives it liberally. In addition; dig out your dictionaries (or Google it) and you discover that upbraideth means God won’t scold or chide you for not knowing—he will simply guide your understanding. But just in case you want to read it in a more modern language, here it is again:
James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Now when I combine the two passages and apply them to my devotional writing, my prayer sounds like this:
Dear Heavenly Father,
As I sit down to write today, keep me honest and truthful in what I write. Guide my understanding of the scriptures and give me just the right amount of understanding that you trust me to handle correctly. I don’t want too much wisdom, or I might become conceited and fail to give you the glory and honor for whatever is written. I don’t want too little wisdom, or I might sound foolish and people will disregard the message you want me to convey. Heavenly Father, help me write whatever it is that you want someone else to read—even if that someone else is me.
In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, Amen.
Friends, what is it that the Lord is laying on your heart to accomplish? Ask your Heavenly Father for help in remaining truthful and honest and help to avoid being distracted by worldly thoughts and influences. Ask him for wisdom and guidance—not too much, not too little—but just the right amount each day to complete the tasks and opportunities he has given you.
Philippians 4:13 (NLT) For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
The
devotional From the Wisdom of Agur
and James appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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