Most Mature Request

“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.” (Jer 10:23-24 AV)

The prayer of the Prophet above is an amazing one.  From its very inception, humility and transparency exudes from his words.  The conclusion of his statements is equally impressive.  Very few individuals will ask for correction.  They wait until it is imposed upon them.  Correction comes not at the request of the one who needs it.  Rather, it comes at the timing and discretion of the one correcting.  Jeremiah examines himself and concludes he does not know enough to make decisions that always please the LORD.  He knows he is bent on disobedience.  He knows that given complete liberty, he would go down a path of life that would end in destruction.  By admitting these things, the prophet also admits he does not have it within himself to self-correct.  His nature is contrary to the word of God.  He will choose the wrong way more than the right way.  Therefore, he asks the LORD to correct him.  In asking prior to a problem, he is also asking the LORD to correct him in judgment rather than anger.  This means he is asking for swift and early correction lest his life become so displeasing to the LORD that He must correct in anger.  All in all, the request above shows great maturity, humility, and foresight.  To ask for such a thing is the height of spiritual maturity and is also an example to the fallen nation of Judah to do the same.

When you think about it, avoiding correction until it is forced is a carnal attitude.  To refrain from seeking correction before it is needed is what the most base of all beasts do.  To regret or chaff against correction is not what a thinking being does.  I have had several dogs in my lifetime.  What I know of dogs is they do not ask for correction.  They learn from it and do not shun it.  But they don’t ask for it.  I have a Cavalier.  He is a great little dog.  Teaching him to heal was a chore.  I finally had to settle on a choke collar.  The thing about Cavs is they go nuts around people and other dogs.  They are extremely social.  They would rather socialize than eat.  When I walk Toby, he is keyed in on people.  If he sees another person, he completely loses concentration.  When someone gets close, he will test the limits of the leash and choke collar.  He will test the limits of it to the extent that he snorts, gasping for air.  Before you call me an animal abuser, he is not hurt at all.  Gasping for air is a correction.  He must learn to sit and calmly engage his visitor.  He cannot go nuts and run after, jump on, and play with anyone or anything he sees.  If there was no leash, Toby would have been hit by a car many times over.  In other words, Toby does not have the foresight to see that his passion for others could cause him harm.  He does not see this trait as a deficit.  He has no ability to exercise humility and ask me for correction before he needs it.  This is a quality of the animal kingdom and therefore, carnal.

Rare is the person who comes to the end of himself and knows he cannot be what he desires and needs to be without the intervention of the Creator who made him.  This attitude is the beginning of rapid maturity.  The more one can get to this point, the quicker correction will come.  The more we get to this point, the easier correction would be.  The more we can get to this point, the easier we will learn.  The more we can get to this point, the more the lessons we learn will last.  Jeremiah shows the way for the rest of us.  He sets an example for all who find living godly, difficult.  To get to this point, it took exposure to a nation that refused such an aspiration.  The prophet saw the condition of Judah, knew their end, and was able to extrapolate it was their obstinance that caused it.  Not wanting to repeat their mistakes, the prophet asks the LORD to correct him early and often.  What a prayer!