THE PRAYER OF AGUR

 

I was thinking this morning.... Days ago, I was in mourning because a good friend lost the daughter. It was a devastating time for everyone that was close to them. Since I was still coming to terms with the loss of my dad, the passing of this young lady threw me again into deep introspection about life. I was still in this mood when I got an invitation to attend an Easter comedy show. I imagined how anything could make me laugh at this period and decided to turn down the invitation.

Everyone prays to be in merry mood, but it is foolishness to perpetually be in that mood. I have learnt not to pass by any opportunity to mourn with the bereaved because the lessons in the house of mourning can never be found in the house of feasting. No wonder Ecclesiastes 7:2 says "It is better to enter a house of mourning than a house of feasting, since death is the end of every man, and the living should take this to heart."

Similarly, I have always prayed, worked and still working hard to be wealthy. I grew up the hard way and always wanted to live the soft life. My first time on going on a cruise gave me a glimpse of what it means to live the life of the rich and famous. But I have come to realise that while I have enjoyed seasons of abundance, my seasons of lack has taught me greater lessons.

I learnt recently that both poverty and riches are trials. A good man passes both tests. It was Agur's attempt to avoid both trials that made him pray in Proverbs 30:8-9 "Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God."

Most people in life will experience one or both trials, but not everyone is passing the test. Some started poor, became wealthy and became unrecognisable in their insensitivity. They failed. Some faced the trial of poverty and used it as excuse to steal, prostitute or kill. They failed.

I am still contemplating if I should adopt the prayer of Agur, but for now all I can do I put my hand on my head and say "O God, I beggeth thee."

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey