8/2/14: Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
In 1966, the musical group known as The Temptations recorded a catchy love song entitled “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” Topping the Billboard R & B Chart for eight consecutive weeks, David Ruffin led the song, crooning with the group about a wife or girlfriend who wanted to leave for some reason. The lyrics reveal that they will plead, cry, and even sleep on her doorstep all night long, whatever it takes to keep her from walking away. “Please don’t leave me,” they sing because they “ain’t too proud to beg.”
Although the tables are turned a little bit in the book of Joel, God is pleading the same thing to His people. However, God is not the source of the problem; we are. We’re the ones who have neglected to realize what we have in Him. Still, it is God who is pleading, “Please don’t leave me.” Joel 2:11-12 says, “The LORD gives voice before His army, for His camp is very great; for strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it? ‘Now, therefore,’ says the LORD, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning’” (NKJ).
God knows what’s coming, and He wants us close to Him. Only by being in His arms of safety can we be assured of having everything we could ever need.
So today, perhaps you have moved a bit away from the Lord in some areas of your life, or maybe you find yourself feeling quite distant from Him. Either way, simply turn and run back. He’s waiting with open arms. The prophet goes on in verse 13 to invite you by saying, “So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm.”
God wants you to be His even if you’re thinking of walking out and leaving Him behind. Worship God today for being the pleader who ain’t too proud to beg for your return.
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©2014 Sharon Norris Elliott. Feel free to forward this devotion in its entirety, including this copyright line. Leave comments, ask questions, read past devotions, or subscribe to receive these devotions daily in your e-mail at www.sanewriter.wordpress.com. Also, periodically check in at www.LifeThatMatters.net to see what’s going on in the ministry.
Pick up a copy of Sharon’s newest release,
Boomerangs to Arrows: A Godly Guide for Launching Young Adult Children
available from Judson Press (http://www.judsonpress.com/product.cfm?product_id=17387),
at bookstores, and on all major online book buying sites.
Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2JH_gbinMk
Also still available:
Power Suit: The Armor of God Fit for the Feminine Frame
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