“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

Proverbs 30:5

Many words of wisdom are recorded in the book of Proverbs. What can happen when these words are revealed and subsequently applied to lives? Keep in mind that the book of Proverbs is from wise men who wanted others to learn just what wisdom is and how to gain it.

Agur was one who wrote to his friends a confession. It soon turned into a prayer, one that recognized God. [Note: In brackets, there are some definitions.]

Agur’s confession to his friends: “1. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, 2. Surely I am more brutish [stupid; foolish] than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. 3. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge [knowledge gained through the senses] of the holy. 4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell? 5. Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. 6. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:1–6).

Did you recognize how this confession turned from acknowledging his foolishness to declaring his faith in God?

Agur’s confession that turned into a prayer of one who recognized God: “7. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: 8. Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: 9. Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain” (Proverbs 30:7–9).

Notice that he:

• First recognized himself as a sinner (verses 2–3).
• He recognized he needed a Savior (verses 3–4).
• He acknowledged that he could not understand God or the things of God. Compare this with 1 Corinthians 2:14: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
• So he cried out, asking His name. Where did he go for his answers? (See verse 5 and remember Psalm 12:6: “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.”) However, be careful to not add to or change what God’s Word says to fit your need (see Proverbs 30:6).
• He then continued with a prayer for forgiveness, and provision (remember the Lord’s Prayer we can learn in Matthew 6:9–13, especially verses 11–13a). He wanted God to forgive him from the sin he now recognized.
• He then wanted God only to give him what he needed, so he would recognize that it came from God. Too much, and he would claim the glory himself, and too little, he would break God’s commands by stealing. His heart sought God earnestly.  

Be encouraged to recognize that it is a personal choice – to seek God’s wisdom or to remain foolish. Just as Agur (in Proverbs 30) realized he was a sinful man and recognized he needed God’s forgiveness, each person must come to that point in his or her own heart and life. A decision must be made. After one chooses God’s forgiveness (becoming a Christian), they should do as Agur did. Agur chose “every word of God” for it is pure. We should choose the wisdom found in God’s Word – and live it out in our lives, thereby pleasing God. God’s wisdom must become important to those who belong to Him. What will you choose?

Have you chosen to receive every Word of God as pure, trusting in Him?