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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Agur recognized that wisdom belongs with you (Prov 30:3–4), and Paul said that you have hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in your Son, Jesus Christ (Col 2:3). How wonderful it is to be united spiritually with the source of all wisdom and understanding! In Him I have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Eph 1:7). I exalt you today and praise your name! Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you shared with me the sayings of Agur and the words of King Lemuel. Agur was a keen observer of the world and its ways, and he delighted in pondering the many fascinating aspects of your creation. I appreciate his humble attitude (Prov 30:2). He teaches me that those who know much are aware of how little they truly know. Agur’s sayings end with a call to humility: “If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth. For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife” (Prov 30:32–33). King Lemuel shared the advice his mother gave him about “wine, women and song.” After hearing Solomon expound on the dangers of strange women and strong drink, it’s interesting to hear a woman agree with him on both points. ‘Kings,’ she said, ‘should be concerned with giving justice to their people, not with wine and strong drink.’ This teaches me that I must put the welfare of those under my authority before my own wants and desires. Proverbs concludes with an acrostic poem that paints an inspiring picture of the noble wife. She is a woman of character, wisdom, and compassion. She is thrifty, industrious, self-sacrificing, generous, thoughtful, hard-working, and strong. She is a loving wife and mother, and she is praised by her husband and her children. She stands as a guide to men (this is the kind of woman you should marry) and a beacon for women (this is the kind of woman you should strive to be). She is a stirring reminder that true greatness is found only through the fear of the Lord! Reflection Agur mentioned several small animals that demonstrate wisdom. Have I ever given thought to the many things I can learn about life and living by studying creatures such as the ants? Request Father, I ask two things of you: “Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the Lord?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God” (Prov 30:7–9 NIV). Thanksgiving Thank you for the wise counsel that you share with me and the daily reminder of how important it is to humble myself before you. Truly, “every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Prov 30:5). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Agur’s Wish” — A Collection of Hymns, 1791. Meditation Verse: Proverbs 30:12.