Scripture
1 Kings 3:6,9 – And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given to him a son to sit on his throne this day. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
Observation
God appears to Solomon in a dream and tells Solomon to ask what God can give to him. This is an amazing part of Old Testament scripture. Solomon choose for God to give him wisdom so he could discern between good and evil to govern the people of Israel well. Solomon ask for wisdom was motivated by the steadfast love God had shown to David and now to him as king.
Application
Solomon had the opportunity to ask God for anything he could have wanted. He didn’t choose riches, things of material value or even health. If God appeared to me, what would I choose? Solomon chose for God to give him wisdom because he understood the steadfast love of the Lord was by the grace of God. Some 3000 years later, by the grace of God, we have the greatest gift of love God has ever given in Jesus. God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to pay for our sins so we can have an everlasting relationship with Him. Once we realize our greatest need has been met by the grace of God through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus, wisdom from God is right up there on our list of necessities. My own wisdom is limited and I need the wisdom of God that comes from his word and Spirit to give me the discernment to make decisions to follow His path not mine.
Prayer
Father,
Thank you for your grace and steadfast love in sending Jesus so we can know you and make you known. Let me fear you, seek wisdom in your word, prayer to follow and bring you glory.