Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

HUMILITY OF HEART A dying minister was visited by his faithful deacon. "Ah, pastor," the deacon said, "you are now about to meet the Lord and receive your rewards." "Oh no," gasped the aged preacher, "not reward, mercy!" Solomon's attitude was not one of arrogance but of deepest humility. He knew he did not deserve the kingship and quickly admitted his shortcomings. He asked God for wisdom, not for riches, and God graciously gave both. The proper attitude the Christian must have is one of complete humility before God. We do not deserve His great salvation; and like the dying minister, do not cry for rewards, but mercy. We do not understand why God chose to love us as unlovely as we are, but we thrill to the knowledge that His grace and mercy have been poured out to us. With the songwriter we sing, "And from my smitten heart with tears, two wonders I confess, The wonders of His glorious love and my own worthlessness." Like Solomon, we admit to God we do not know how to go in or come out before Him; and we need His wisdom and strength to live holy in His presence. With this attitude, God will bless and draw us near to Himself.