Two things I asked of You, do not refuse me before I die: keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion.

Proverbs 30:7-8

Proverbs chapter thirty was written by a man named “Agur the son Of Jakeh, the oracle.” It is believed that son and father were Arabs believing in the One True God and using the natural world around them to learn of God’s wisdom and His ways for one’s life. [Bible Study Tools, August 2021] 

I find it interesting that this writer asked God for only two things. One, that he wanted just enough earthly provisions so that he would not steal because he was in great need or be too rich and full that he would deny the LORD. And two, that he would not be a liar or a deceiver and be prone to slander against others; in other words that he wanted honest and truthful relationships. Those two requests just about cover thriving as a Truth-follower in this Truth rejecting world.

King David asked God about it this way:

Psalm 15:1-2

O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.

Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet, had a tough job trying to get Israel to listen to God’s warnings. It’s important to remember that most of the warnings in Jeremiah’s book were given to God’s chosen people, not the secular world around them. Those warnings are meant for Christ-followers today. We would do well to listen and learn.

Jeremiah 7:27-28 (This is God speaking to Jeremiah)

You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you; and you shall call to them, but they will not answer you. You shall say to them, ‘This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the LORD their God or accept correction; truth perished and has been cut off from their mouth.’

Another prophet to Israel, Zechariah, also tried to get God’s people to listen.

Zechariah 8:16

These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peach in your gates.

And all of these, and the other Old Testament writers, were declaring the coming Messiah!

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. [bold is mine]

Oh to be more like Jesus!