Prayer: Father, it is no good to ask for wisdom or a gifting, and when given, not use it. May I see from Solomon’s life, how to wisely use wisdom. Amen.
Reading: 1 Kings 3 key: vs. 5, 9-12 “At Gibeon Adonai appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said: “Ask for what should I give you?” … “So give Your servant a mind of understanding to judge Your people, to discern between good and evil—for who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” Now it was pleasing in the eyes of Adonai that Solomon requested this thing. So God said to him: “Because you asked for this thing—and have not asked for yourself long life, nor asked for yourself riches, nor asked for the life of your enemies, but asked for yourself understanding to discern justice— behold, I have done according to your words. I have given you a wise and discerning mind, so that there has been none like you before you, nor shall anyone like you arise after you.” TLV
Attention: I recall as a youngster, being amazed at my brother who is 18 months younger, approaching our dad and asking him if he would take him to see a movie. When he secured a “yes” response, I was shocked. How did he do that? Without a pause, Dad said, “yes.” Because I was the eldest, I always felt that there were certain expectations which were placed on me, which did not apply to my brother. I also felt that the discipline which was handed out was greater and stricter for me. So, I was reluctant to ask for anything unless I was 100 percent sure I would receive a “yes” response.
I have never heard God ask me to ask Him for something. However, two scriptures come to mind which give us some clues as to how we are to approach and ask God, who gives to all.
The first scripture is found in Matthew 7: 7-8, ““Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it shall be opened.” How many times have we forfeited God’s provision because we never get up the courage to ask.
Also, Jacob (James) tells us “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all without hesitation and without reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting—for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind (1:5-6).” There are qualifications, like asking in faith and not doubting.
However, I have had to overcome the experiences with my earthly father, to ask and receive from my heavenly Father.
Solomon was asked by God, “what should I give you?” What an honor, to be asked directly by God. Interesting, immediately after this interaction between Solomon and God, Solomon put to use the wisdom which God gave him. It is a fascinating story about two prostitutes who are both pregnant and almost simultaneously give birth. One accidentally smothers her baby in her sleep and to cover up her accident, she switches babies. Much to the horror of the mother of the live baby, she discovers the switch. They are brought before king Solomon and he wisely offers the solution, “cut the living baby in half.” To save her baby, the birth mother humbly offers her baby to the offending mother. The offending mother, however, wants the baby slain. Immediately, Solomon knows who the birth mother is and who is the perpetrator and gives the rightful mother her baby.
We all need wisdom for all of life’s decisions. Have you asked for wisdom? Have you asked God for anything? If you have, what was your attitude? Did you ask with wrong motives? Did you ask expecting to receive it from God?
The story of Solomon is a great lesson in asking God. Ask God for something today and ask wisely.
Action: I choose to ask God for wisdom today, as He is the Jehovah-Jireh of my life.
Yield: I choose to yield in humbleness to the Holy Spirit who reveals truth to all men.
Engage: I choose to engage with the help of the Holy Spirit in asking God for wisdom.
Relationship: I choose to live a lifestyle of intimate relationship with God.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the example of Solomon, who asked for wisdom and because he asked humbly, it was Your pleasure to give to him more than wisdom. May we ask because Your Spirit has asked us too. Amen.
Memory Verse: Jacob (James) 1: 5-6 “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all without hesitation and without reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting—for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” TLV
Music Video: Matthew Hart—God’s Wisdom https://youtu.be/8CygjKKszlQ?si=ZHHQPqrTT6FOV4iI
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”