A few weeks ago in our Awana class I asked the kids, "If you could ask the Lord for anything what would it be?" I had them write down the three things they would ask for. Now, you might think answers coming from young teens might be a bit self wanted. They gave answers anywhere from healing their grandmother, to having a new house, to yes, having lots of money. They are no different than us as adults. Of course we would ask for things for others, but wouldn't we add a few things in there for ourselves? We were learning about Solomon and our lesson came from 1 Kings 3:1-15. Here we find young Solomon becoming king in place of his father, David. Solomon is humble. He sees that he is immature and maybe not as ready as he should be. We find God is speaking to Solomon in a dream. "That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream , and God said, 'What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!'" 1 Kings 3:5 Can you imagine? Ask anything and it will be given. I don't think Solomon was as unprepared as he thought. After all when God gives an opportunity no matter how big He will prepare us and prepare indeed He did. Solomon didn't ask for riches or gold. He didn't ask of anything for himself. He asked for wisdom to discern from right and wrong. His thoughts were to the people not himself. I find great humility in that. A wise friend of mine wrote these words, "Real humility doesn't make your worth go down. It makes the worth of others more apparent to you." Gavin Hooks
Solomon would lead his people with great wisdom. He knew where that wisdom came from. God. Before we can gain understanding we must have wisdom. The place we must go? We must dig deep into the word of God. When we find ourselves there it isn't about us. It is all about Him. When we take our eyes off of ourselves we can see Him. Until we are ready to let go of our selfish desires we will not find true wisdom. Wisdom is not listening to our heart, nor is taking popular advice. Often times what seems right in our eyes is the wrong thing. Why? Because our motives are wrong. God's motives are never wrong. He sees the big picture while we see only just a glimpse.
"Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?" 1 Kings 3:9 Solomon speaks here saying, "Can I govern Your people without Your wisdom?" He knew he couldn't do anything without God. How many times do we try to go off and do our own thing? I am so guilty of this. I think I have the answer, the quick answer, right? Because no one wants to wait when there is a problem. We are a right now people, while God is a wait on Me kind of God.
His purpose and plan is always higher than ours. Might we begin to seek Him daily. Morning, noon and night. Sometimes I need to call upon Him minute by minute. It is His wisdom that will set us apart from others and guide us through life with meaning and peace. When we know God is in control and really trust Him, there is nothing to fear nor hold us down. Lets take some wisdom from King Solomon and learn to go to God and seek Him with all our heart.
Philippians 4:13 "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
When Solomon asked for wisdom, God not only gave him wisdom, but gave him what he did not ask for. "The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, 'Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies- I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for-riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!" 1 Kings 3:10-13 Don't we have an awesome God? God blesses when we follow His leadership. God continues to tell Solomon that if he follows Him, He too will give him a long life.
I will leave us with one last verse. "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments." Psalm 112:1 Seek Him today. Delight in Him today. Wisdom begins when we look to the cross.
