If you were given two wishes by God and could ask for anything you wanted, what would you ask for?
Great health until you died in your sleep one week after your 100th birthday party?
A marriage without any hurtful words or actions?
A work career with no terminations but instead promotions to higher pay and peer esteem?
A singing voice that would make Josh Groban or Celine Dion envious?
There are so many directions our wishes could go.
But what would please God?
I’m glad that the Bible gives me guidance in this regard.
And, not surprisingly, what scripture affirms has nothing to do with those things that boost social status but instead spiritual health.
Here are the words from today’s reading in the One-Year Bible:
“Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die:
“Keep falsehood and lies 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” (Psalm 30:7-9).
Here is my take on why these two simple, humble requests were at the top of King David’s list of requests to God.
Job #1 is to protect the mind.
Job #2 is to protect the soul.
Let’s look at Job #1.
If I receive God’s supernatural help to recognize falsehood when it comes my way, I will only allow healthy and godly thoughts to take up residence in my mind. My decisions will follow His principles in connection with His purposes and power and the glory for progress will flow to Him rather than me.
Just as it is supposed to.
This would be a very good thing that would allow me to have inner peace that surpasses all understanding.
I want that and so I pray that God’s Holy Spirit alert me to falsehood and lies before I take them into my mind.
Now for Job #2.
Many Christians might struggle with the idea of wanting only enough to eat for today. There is unbelievable pressure to entrust our sense of peace to our amount of provisions for a rainy day. If we flourish, it’s because we’re faithful, right?
Claim Christ, drive a fancy car, live in a fancy house and attend a “cool” church you’ll be seen as in God’s favor while the one in much more humble circumstances might be seen as less favored. It’s not right but these stereotypes are rampant in our nation. You’ve seen them and I’ve seen them.
Could you imagine the effect on Christian broadcasting revenues if the second request above became the core message “partner” monetary solicitations?
Sometimes God intercedes to prompt the above even when we are not adequately seeking them ourselves.
He knows what we need and what we can handle.
I rejoice that God has protected me from countless attacks of falsehood and lies that He knew that I could not discern or resist.
I rejoice that this provision — promised in I Corinthians 10:13 — will continue to protect me in the future as Satan’s schemes grow more sophisticated and potent.
I also rejoice that God is providing for my temporal needs now even in this recession-slammed season in my vocational life.
It is quite humbling to have seen how the changing economy has dismantled each of the four career sectors that provided income for me since my college days.
But He gives me breath and nourishment to continue worshiping Him, loving His people, learning His Word and serving the people in the community around me.
I don’t live life perfectly, I know.
I mess up sometimes.
I periodically miss the messages that God sends my way, at times even when they’re in large, boldfaced type.
And I spend more moments than I should thinking of how nice life would be with this gadget or that address.
Hmmmm…… Come to think of it, David had really good ideas when he listed the two top things he wanted from God.
Let’s join together in adopting his list, OK?
As always, I love you
Martin
