In these three verses, the writer verbalizes a prayer to the LORD. He asks and trusts God for two things throughout the rest of his life. First, he asks that the LORD will keep away from him falsehood and lies. While it may well involve keeping liars away from him, I get the idea that his real focus is on the lying and deceit from his own mouth and heart. It seems that he understands his own shortcomings and knows he will always have it in him to think and say the most inappropriate things. The focus here is on character.
The second thing he asked is that God would not give him poverty or riches, just his daily bread. The idea was that he didn’t really want to have more than he needed in his life, just enough every day – one day at a time. While this prayer sounds pretty foreign to our culture and lifestyles, it really does make sense. Again his focus is on character, not stuff.
His reasoning is simple: God you know me, you know how I roll. If I get too much stuff, I know I have it in me to think I have all I need and don’t really need You anymore. But then he adds, also, don’t let me become poor because I know I have it in me to steal from others and that would dishonor you.
What a great thought. I have a lot of issues and I really know I have it in me to do the stupidest stuff. But, LORD, I also believe You know precisely what I need and when I need it. So I am going to trust that You will provide all I need, exactly when I need it. What a great way to live! May I get better and better at living this way, every day for the rest of my life.