Joseph Mekael Page

Proverbs Daily: A Deep Reflection on Proverbs 30:8-9

“Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.”
— Proverbs 30:8

This prayer by Agur is a plea for balance, humility, and dependence on God. As I reflect on this scripture, I find its wisdom echoing deeply in my life. Let me share a personal perspective:

“Remove far from me vanity and lies…”
In my walk with God, I pray for the removal of vanity and lies from within myself. I also pray for the removal of people who embody these traits. Their presence can discourage, distract, and even tempt us to slip into sin. Scripture reminds us, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). I long to walk uprightly, seeking the will of the Lord above all. It’s a daily prayer to remain steadfast, even when surrounded by those who may not walk in truth.

“Give me neither poverty nor riches…”
This part of the scripture challenges me. Like Agur, I don’t desire material wealth for selfish reasons. Yet, my heart burns with a longing to care for the homeless, the impoverished, and the brokenhearted. I see true riches as having the resources to lift others up. It means meeting their needs and showing them the love of Christ. God calls us to be good stewards, and I pray for His provision to do His work—nothing more, nothing less.

“Feed me with food convenient for me…”
This resonates so personally. In my life, I’ve seen God fill my cupboards when I had little. Even now, I trust Him for my daily bread, knowing He is my Shepherd and Provider. This prayer reminds me not to lust after delicacies or material excess but to be content with what He provides. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

“Lest I be full and deny Thee…”
I stand firm against ever saying, “Who is the Lord?” No matter what blessings come, my worship belongs to Him alone. I’ve experienced God’s faithfulness in seasons of both lack and abundance. I know that my joy is rooted in Him. It is not rooted in possessions or circumstances. He has delivered me from the bondage of sin. He has filled my life with His Spirit. For that, I will worship Him into eternity and beyond.

“Lest I be poor and steal…”
Having experienced homelessness, I understand this plea. Even in my darkest moments, I never cursed God. Instead, I cried out to Him, asking for deliverance. Today, I see His hand in every step of my journey. My prayer is to honor Him in all circumstances. I trust Him to provide and guide me. This is true whether in abundance or in need.

God’s will for us is clear. He desires to give us a land flowing with milk and honey. He wants to bless us with homes we didn’t build and fill them with good things (Deuteronomy 6:10-11). Yet, He also desires for us to remain humble, grounded, and grateful, recognizing that all we have comes from Him.

Prayer:
Lord, remove vanity and lies from my heart and my life. Grant me neither riches that lead me to forget You nor poverty that tempts me to sin. Feed me with what I need, and align my desires with Your will. You are my Shepherd, my Provider, and my Savior. Let my life be a testimony of Your grace, and may I worship You in spirit and truth forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.