God Speaks
Solomon Asks the LORD for Wisdom, Receives It and Uses It for the Betterment of the Nation and World
Verse of the Day: [May every believer (especially those in positions of authority) follow Solomon’s example and ask the LORD for wisdom, receive it and use it for the betterment of their nation and the world.] Solomon answered [the LORD], . . . But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. . . . So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours? (1 Kings 6-10 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding I Kings 3-4:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
I Kings 3
1. God freely gives wisdom to those who ask for it as Solomon did.
2. Even with wisdom as great as Solomon, people act foolishly. It is only by constantly depending on the LORD that we can live God-honoring lives.
I Kings 4
1. It is the LORD God who gave Solomon so much wisdom and insight.
2. People tend to ignore God and to seek knowledge and insight on their own or from other flawed human beings.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding I Kings 3-4?
Dear Sovereign LORD, thank You for all the ways King Solomon loved and followed You. He is a great example of what You can do on behalf a man who seeks to lead his people well. However, please help me not to follow his example of syncretism, or materialism. He failed to observe the commands You gave to kings in Deuteronomy 17:16-17 regarding horses, wives, and wealth. Thank You, LORD, that You forgave his sins on the same basis as You forgive mine: the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Solomon looked forward for his salvation; I look back. You gave him all that he needed to fulfill Your plans for his life. You have done the same for me. Solomon’s decision regarding the quarreling mothers was masterful. Please grant me the wisdom I need to carry out Your plans for me. May I exercise wisdom especially in my choice of spouse, advisors, and companions. May You receive all the glory from all of our lives, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to I Kings 3-4? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will research the backgrounds of my public officials and the people on their staffs to better understand their viewpoints on various issues.
- I will pray for godly wisdom and compassion for family court judges who are charged with deciding child custody cases.
- I will pray and vote for God-fearing elected officials, while praying for the salvation and sanctification of those who have yet to come to faith.
- I will sign up for a free online course on the Constitution offered by Hillsdale College to learn more about how the federal government is supposed to work.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.