Prayers of the Lowly that Pierce the Clouds
Sirach 35: 20-22
Those who serve God to please Him are accepted; their petition reaches the clouds. The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal; nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly, and affirms the right.
Now one of my favorite passages of scripture. No prayer goes unheard. Paul also gives his beautiful "farewell" letter to Timothy. In chapter 4, verse 7, he says:
"I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, not only to me but to all who have longed for His appearance."
Everything about today can be wrapped up in humility until the end. The long game is holding on to the humility that God showed the word and His creation by coming in the flesh and dying on the cross so that we might have a pathway to knowing Him. If our creator would subject Himself to this, who are we to question or demand that He bend to our will? We are like spoiled children.
Luke 18:9-14
The parable of the two men in the temple. The pharisee was boasting out loud. He was speaking about all of his great feats. We can probably imagine this through some of our more widely publicized politicians, athletes, or celebrities.
I am favored because I... tithe, help the sick, visit prisons, and I pray all the time. I read scripture daily. "I am" .. "I did" .. "I deserve" .. "I want" ..
What is the name that God gave Moses, when he was asked what people should call Him?
I am.
Our God is THE why. We can only do anything because of God. There is no "I am " in surrender. There is no "I am" in humility.
The other man prayed with his head down. He didn't feel worthy to look up to God. He prayed with remorse and he owned his sin. He desired God in a way that someone reaches for a lifeline while drowning in deep water. The boastful man was reclined on a pool raft in the middle of the ocean. The drowning man, knew that he wasn't worthy to be saved because he had knowingly waded out into deep water without the skills to swim. He disobeyed God and went swimming alone. The boastful man was applying suntan lotion. He knew how to swim. He had no awareness of time. Eventually, the sun will take him. The ocean will become rough and the raft will fail. The prideful man hasn't planned for the future. The man will be alone and look to God calling out for his return. "I did all of the right things to survive on the Ocean, I am drowning, why"
I am ... drowning. I ... don't understand.
Is it a coincidence that "i" is in the middle of "Pride"?
You are my salvation. God save me.
God draws near to those who hold Him close in their walk. He reaches down to lift the weary and care for those that come to Him broken. He washes the sinner.
