Ain't too proud to beg

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

The famous words of the Temptations still echo in our ears as the Motown legends’ song depicts a man pleading earnestly and selflessly for his lover to stay by his side. The song passionately says, “I know you wanna leave me, but I refuse to let you go, If I have to beg and plead for your sympathy, I don't mind cuz' you mean that much to me…” The body of Christ should have that same zeal when it comes to a personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Many people think that having a proud or prideful spirit is a strong character trait. Yes, it is strong, so strong that it can destroy you physically, psychologically, and spiritually. Outside of that, it will destroy any and all relationships one has whether it is romantically or socially. A prideful spirit is a selfish spirit, a spirit that God does not appreciate. When we come before the Lord, either in our brokenness or daily prayers, our state of mind should be humble. For the word the Lord gave King Solomon in 2nd Chronicles 7:14 states, “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land.” Oftentimes we wonder why our prayers aren’t answered, but we fail to evaluate how we present ourselves to God.

The psalmist David never presented himself to God in a prideful or arrogant manner. He always humbled himself, making himself weak and needy before the Lord. For David knew that his source for strength and energy came from the Lord and that the Lord appreciated a humbled heart. In Psalm 147:6, David describes how the Lord lifts up the humble and brokenhearted and casts out those who aren’t. So many times we present ourselves before the Lord in a prideful manner, we fail to seek Him and inquire about our relationships, our jobs, and our finances. How dare we think that we already know what to do with the blessings that God has given us? How dare we make decisions about our mates without inquiring of the Lord – the author and finisher of our faith? Too often we go to God with our own agendas, but what about His agenda? Have we forgotten that He has a will for our lives?

If we fail to present ourselves before the Lord in all humility, we will never really know or understand His will and purpose for our lives. Because it is in our brokenness and neediness that the Lord reveals to us the plans for our lives. When we come before God broken and contrite, doors are opened for God to move in our lives and forgive us of our sins.

So ask yourself, are you too proud to beg or will you humble yourself today?