Wisdom From Above
BRD REFLECTIONS:
1 Kings 3:1-28; 4:1-34 and Psalm 78:56-72 (NIV)
(Patrick Chua, PTM for Witness & Evangelism)
READ:
1 Kings 3:1-28; 4:1-34 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
In 1 Kings 3:3 (NIV) “Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given him by his father David”. This reminds me of Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” King Solomon started with fear of the Lord by worshipping Him with a thousand burnt offerings at Gibeon where the tabernacle of the Lord that Moses, the Lord’s servant, had made in the wilderness, was located (2 Chronicles 1:3). Thereafter, the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (v.5) Solomon recognised his limitations to rule wisely, and he requested God to give him a discerning heart to govern God’s people and to distinguish between right and wrong. (v.9). After Solomon awoke from his dream he returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. (v.15). I noticed that it was only after Solomon had encountered God in worship and acknowledged his own limitations, that wisdom came upon him from God. He was wise in administering justice in the dispute between two prostitutes over their babies (v. 16-28), appointing of officials and governors in administrations of the nation (4:4-19) and his wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East (4:30).
APPLY:
When asking for wisdom from God for complex issues and problems to be solved, firstly, go to God with holy fear and acknowledge my own limitations. Very often I prefer to depend on my own intellectual reasoning alone rather than taking one more step to seek discernment from God to make major decisions. My pride hinders me to humbly come before God to acknowledge my own limitations, and to seek for His wisdom.
Secondly, check my motive for asking wisdom from God. Is it for my own benefit or for others? King Solomon requested God to give him a discerning heart to govern God’s people and to distinguish between right and wrong. Solomon’s motive is not for selfish ambition but for the common good of the people. “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).
Thirdly, approach God in worship by centring myself in God’s presence with a posture of surrendering the outcome to Him, recognising that at the end, God is the one who is in control of all situations.
DO:
- Humbly come before God to acknowledge my own limitations, and to seek for His wisdom.
- Check my motive for asking wisdom from God, is it for my own benefit or for others?
- Approach God in worship by centring myself in God’s presence with a posture of surrendering the outcome to Him.
PRAY:
Lord, I humbly ask for Your wisdom in making important decisions. Please, give me direction and wisdom so I can make the right decision and bring glory to Your name. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.
