READING: 1 Kings 3-4, 2 Chronicles 1, Psalm 72
“Give your servant therefore an understanding mind.”
1 Kings 3:9
I wonder what I would ask for if the Lord gave me His word that He would fulfill my request. Would it be money? Fame? Health? Would my answer be that He would use me for His glory, regardless of the cost? Would my response be more God-centered or more me-centered? I hope it would not be the latter, but I don’t know for certain. What I do know is that I likely would not have responded the way Solomon did.
Solomon knew at the time that he could not lead the people in his own strength. In fact, he admitted his youth and sought God to give him divine wisdom to lead His people: “And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. . . . Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kgs. 3:7, 9). He knew he was inadequate for the task, so he sought God’s help.
Solomon could have requested so much more; in fact, God commended him for not seeking something else: “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word” (1 Kgs. 3:11-12). Every once in a while, I’m reminded that though I’m 57 years old, I am still like a child trying the lead others. Still, I sometimes get upset and whine. Still, I too often seek what I want more than the good of the whole. God knows I need those situations and dilemmas that drive me to Him like a little boy crawling into the lap of his daddy.
I need the wisdom of God. Period.
ACTION STEPS:
- Ask God to give you wisdom.
- Seek Him before making decisions today.
PRAYER: “God, grant me wisdom to lead as You wish today.”
TOMORROW'S READING: Psalm 119:89-176
