Love That Never Fails

65. A Discerning Heart

I think that from time to time, we have all wondered what it would be like to be granted three wishes! What would they be for you ? It's always interesting to hear what people would choose should that ever happen. Generally, people want to be rich so they can buy whatever they want but maybe they would also like to cure illness or fund that special someone to share the rest of their life with! Right now we would probably all just like to wake up and find out that there is no such thing as COVID-19!

As we take a look at Solomon's early reign, we see he was faced with a choice —not from a genie in a bottle but from God himself!

"Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

"Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 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?"

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."

Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord's covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he gave a feast for all his court."
‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭3:3, 5-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A discerning heart was surely a very good choice for this very young king! Of course God was true to His promise and Solomon did indeed grow into a very wise king! He wrote the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. Solomon had great wealth and honour in his kingship. He often spoke of the source of his wisdom:

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Centuries later, James also came to this conclusion, that God is the source of wisdom:

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
‭‭James‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

He went on to distinguish wisdom from God from any other kind of earthly wisdom:

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
‭‭James‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We too can ask God for wisdom, knowing that He is the source of all wisdom! When we know Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we have so much!

"It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.""
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:30-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father,

How special it is that you gave Solomon such amazing wisdom! As I reflect on Your Word, I remember that I am more than blessed as I have more than I could possibly imagine! Having this amazing relationship with Jesus, who became our wisdom, means that I have access to so much in His Name!

Thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to live inside of me, providing wisdom and discernment. I am so thankful to be able to see things in a different way and I ask that You would just keep on increasing my level of discernment as I walk in the Spirit.

Lord I don't want to take this for granted. I completely submit to Your authority. You are the One who gives all good things, including the blessing of every day I have to live. I will live this day for Your glory!

"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭90:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Amen.