Spurgeon Morning and Evening June 13 PM

Biblical Context

These words from Proverbs 30:8 come from a section called ‘The Words of Agur son of Jakeh.’ Agur isn’t one of the most famous people in the Bible, but his words are full of practical wisdom and honest prayer. He’s often thought to be a wise teacher, maybe even a king or a sage, who offered his insight. His prayer is so direct, asking God for very specific things that show us what a person who truly walks with God cares about most. He’s not asking for wealth or fame; he’s asking for a clear, honest walk with God.

Then we have Psalm 38:21, a plea from David, who wrote so many psalms. This particular psalm is a cry from a place of deep distress and personal suffering. David feels weak, sick, and attacked by his enemies, and even his friends have deserted him. His prayer, “O my God, be not far from me,” is a raw, desperate call for God’s closeness and help when everything else has failed. It’s a prayer you pray when you feel utterly alone and you just need God to be near.

Key Word Study

Let’s really look at the word “vanity” from Proverbs 30:8. In the original Hebrew, the word is ‘shav’ (שָׁוְא). It carries a few powerful meanings: emptiness, worthlessness, or something that is deceitful. It’s not just about being proud; it’s about anything that looks good or promising on the outside but inside, it’s hollow, unreal, or a lie. When Agur prays, “Remove far from me vanity,” he’s not just asking God to keep him from pride. He’s asking God to protect him from anything that isn’t true, anything that won’t last, and anything that leaves his soul feeling starved and empty. He wants to avoid illusions, false hopes, and pointless pursuits. It’s a prayer for clear vision and genuine satisfaction.

What We Should Avoid and What We Should Crave

Here we’ve got two big lessons. One is what to push away, and the other is what to really want. You know, the happiest you’ll ever be as a follower of Jesus is when you’re living the cleanest, holiest life. Think about how hot it gets when you’re closest to the sun. It’s the same with Jesus. You’ll feel the most joy, the most peace, the most true happiness when you’re right next to Him, living for Him.

You won’t feel truly at peace when your eyes are stuck on things that don’t matter – on “vanity.” You’ll only find real satisfaction when your soul is alive and active in God’s ways. Other people might find their fun and happiness in different places, but you won’t. You’re just wired differently now because of Christ. And honestly, I don’t blame folks who don’t know God for chasing their pleasures. Why would I? Let them have their fill of it. That’s all they have to enjoy in this life.

The Converted Wife and True Happiness

Think about this story: There was a wife who loved Jesus, but her husband didn’t. She worried about his soul. Even though it was hard, she was always very kind to him. She said, “I’m afraid that this is the only world in which he will be happy, and therefore I’ve made up my mind to make him as happy as I can in it.” What a perspective! It shows us how important it is for you to seek your own true delights in a higher place than the shallow games or sinful fun of this world. You’re called to something more. You’re meant for better.

The Danger of Empty Chasing

Chasing after empty things is really risky for those of you who have new life in Christ. We’ve all heard the story of the old thinker who looked up at the stars so much that he fell right into a pit. But imagine how much deeper you fall when you’re always looking down, focused on trivial, earthly stuff. That kind of fall isn’t just a stumble; it’s a fall that can mess you up for good.

Staying Close to God for Safety

You’re never safe when your soul is lazy and God feels far away from you. Now, don’t get me wrong. When it comes to your standing with Christ, you’re always safe. Once you’re in Him, you’re in. That’s settled. But when it comes to how you experience holiness every day, how close you feel to Jesus in this life? That’s not always safe if you’re not paying attention.

The devil doesn’t often mess with you when you’re living really close to God. It’s when you walk away from God, when your spirit starts to starve, and you try to fill yourself with empty, pointless things – that’s when the devil sees his best opportunity. He might sometimes square up with you when you’re busy serving Jesus, but those fights usually don’t last long. But if you slip as you go down into a hard place, a place of humility or testing, every single wrong step you take is like an open invitation for trouble to attack you.

Oh, we really need God’s help to walk with Him in a simple, humble way every single day!