June 20, 2024 - Proverbs 30-31

“The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out” (30:1).  I suppose all of us have been there, that is, bone weary and worn out.  But Agur turns from his weariness and does what the man of God does:  he turns to the Lord as a resting place – “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (30:5).  Does everyone remember the words of Isaiah, who was speaking to the people of Israel who were surely weary and worn out from the exile?  Of the Lord, Isaiah say, “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).  For those who trust in the Lord,what a promise!

‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

and to take him at his word;

just to rest upon his promise,

and to know, “Thus saith the Lord.”

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!

How I've proved him o’er and o’er!

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

O for grace to trust him more!   --Louisa M. R. Stead (1882)