Luther Seminary

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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Proverbs 30:1-9 (NRSV)

Read Proverbs 30:1-9 on biblegateway.com

Chapter 30The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle.

Thus says the man: I am weary, O God,
I am weary, O God. How can I prevail?
Verse 2Surely I am too stupid to be human;
I do not have human understanding.
Verse 3I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I knowledge of the holy ones.
Verse 4Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of the hand?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is the person's name?
And what is the name of the person's child?
Surely you know! Verse 5Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Verse 6Do not add to his words,
or else he will rebuke you, and you will be found a liar. Verse 7Two things I ask of you;
do not deny them to me before I die:
Verse 8Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that I need,
Verse 9or I shall be full, and deny you,
and say, "Who is the Lord?"
or I shall be poor, and steal,
and profane the name of my God.

Devotion

The writer of Proverbs knows perfectly well the limitations of human beings. We cannot have divine knowledge. We cannot gather the wind in our hands. We cannot wrap up the waters of the oceans in a garment. We did not establish the ends of the earth. The writer also knows who is able to do all this and more. It is that all-powerful one who "came as one among us" in Jesus Christ so that we might fully know God's power and experience God's compassion. To God be the glory!

Prayer

O God, your power and compassion inspire our faith in you. We praise your name. Amen.

Cheryl Heuer Dean of Students and Registrar, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary

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