A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of living an acceptable life before God can use us for service, highlighting the dire spiritual state of humanity that requires urgent action from the redeemed. He stresses that true understanding of our need comes from humility and childlike faith, as God reveals His mysteries to the humble rather than the wise. Tozer shares a story about his friend Tom Haire, who recognizes the importance of waiting on God to address spiritual matters before facing judgment, illustrating the need for introspection and readiness in our spiritual lives.

Before there can be acceptable service there must be an acceptable life. Before we can know how much we owe we must learn how great is the need. Men are caught in a disaster worse than earthquake or flood, and the redeemed of the Lord are to work for their rescue. In considering these things we must not go on the defensive. The Lord loves the artless, the candid, the childlike. He cannot work with those who argue or bargain or plead or excuse themselves. He hides His profoundest mysteries from the wise and the prudent and reveals them unto babes. The poor in spirit always receive the kingdom, the meek inherit the earth, the mourner is comforted and the pure in heart see God. My old friend Tom Haire, the praying plumber, after several months of ministry in the United States, told me one day that he was going back home for a rest. In the thickest of Irish brogues he explained how it was with him. ?I?m preached out,? he said, ?and I am going back to spend three months waiting on God. There are some spiritual matters that I want to get straightened out. I want to appear before the judgment seat now while I can do something about it.?