READING: 2 Chronicles 2-3, 1 Kings 5-6
“He has given David a wise son to be over this great people!”
1 Kings 5:7
I wonder what others say about me today. I hope they would say something about my faith in God. My prayer is that they would see in me what I see in my mentors: undeniable godliness, evangelistic passion, and heartfelt prayer. I hope they would say of me what Hiram said of Solomon in today’s reading: “Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people” (1 Kgs. 5:7).
It’s likely that Hiram’s praise of God was simply the response of a polytheistic king; that is, he was offering praise for the God of the Hebrews without assuming that God had any authority over his own kingdom. It’s also possible his praise of Solomon was the response of a shrewd businessman earning a business deal. Or, it might be that Hiram genuinely saw Solomon as uniquely wise, following in the steps of his father David and seeking continued peace.
In any case, the question this text raises for me is: “Do others see God’s wisdom in me?” As I make decisions, step out in faith, etc., do those around me see wisdom in the way I live and lead? I know for certain I’ve illustrated my ignorance when I’ve made decisions apart from seeking God. What I long for today is to live in such a way that others — especially non-believers with whom I have friendships — would see in me the wisdom of the God “who is greater than all gods . . . [and who] even highest heaven, cannot contain?” (2 Chron. 2:5-6).
ACTION STEPS:
- Ask God to give you wisdom.
- Pray for others to see His wisdom in you.
PRAYER: “God, give me wisdom today that others would see.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Kings 7-8, Psalm 11
*portions of this devotion were first published in 2015