Daily Archives: July 27, 2009
Give me less
If you could only ask two things of God, what would you request? Any two things in all the world and imagination. And, no, you can’t ask for more wishes. What would you choose?
I’ve requested many things from God. A bigger house, so that I can exercise the gift of hospitality properly. A more organized mind, so that I can manage my household more efficiently. The perfect opportunities, so that I may bring glory to His name most profoundly. These requests may be fine and good, but they’re based on my finite understanding. Furthermore, they hint of pride.
Oh, yes, I already have the gift of hospitality and, yes, yes, I want what I deem efficient and proper. If only God would give me the right opportunities, then I could honor Him rightly. Why does He delay in provision, preventing me from using my magnificent abilities??
I read Proverbs 30 this morning. The first nine verses include a discussion between a skeptic and a believer. Check it out. (Normally, I don’t like quoting The Message, but I really like the way Peterson paraphrased this passage. For further study, be sure to check out actual translations of Scripture.)
The skeptic swore, “There is no God! No God!—I can do anything I want! I’m more animal than human; so-called human intelligence escapes me. I flunked ‘wisdom.’ I see no evidence of a holy God. Has anyone ever seen Anyone climb into Heaven and take charge? Grab the winds and control them? Gather the rains in his bucket? Stake out the ends of the earth?Just tell me his name, tell me the names of his sons. Come on now—tell me!”
The believer replied, “Every promise of God proves true; he protects everyone who runs to him for help. So don’t second-guess him; he might take you to task and show up your lies.”
And then he prayed, “God, I’m asking for two things before I die; don’t refuse me — Banish lies from my lips and liars from my presence. Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little.
If I’m too full, I might get independent, saying, ‘God? Who needs him?’
If I’m poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God.”
What two things did the believer ask? (1) Set me in the center of truth and (2) give me just what I need for today, no more, no less.
As consumers, especially in America, we believe we always need more. We need more food, more comfort, more clothes, more technology, more coffee, more sex, more friends, more entertainment … more of everything. But in acquiring all of this, are we seeking to be free of God? Are we seeking independence from our Creator and Sustainer?
God likes reversing human logic. The last shall be first and the first shall be last. The servant shall be greatest of all. The weak shall be strong and the strong made weak. Love your enemies.
Here’s another one, my prayer for today: Give me less that I might need You more.
