Devotion:
Read 1 Kings 3:1-15.
Wow, what an offer from God! “Ask for whatever you want me to give to you.” It brings to mind all the old jokes about a genie in a bottle granting three wishes. But this is God and you get to make just one request. What would you ask for? Money? Fame? Long life?
With the request that Solomon makes, he shows that he already has some of what he is asking for. He shows wisdom in asking for wisdom. At a young age, he has learned what we all realize at some point in life: the more we learn, the more we understand we don’t know. Solomon also realizes the daunting task before him. He was going to have to make tough decisions every day that would affect the lives of a lot of people. So he prayed for wisdom that would match that challenge. God grants him that request and the writer gives us the example of that wisdom for which he is most known in the verses following our reading today.
This passage is a great example of what prayer is: a conversation with God. Both God and Samuel speak and listen to each other. So often we think of prayer as only speaking to God. We say what we have to say, then say “Amen” and move on with the rest of our day. But listening is an equally important part of prayer.
As I listen for God to speak to me, I have never heard an audible voice. However, many times I have heard clear messages from God. Sometimes they came to my mind as I waited in silence. Sometimes they came through another person speaking to me, and I knew immediately it was a message from God. Other messages came from songs, books, sermons, helping someone else or another activity in which I was involved.
Solomon already knew the most important wisdom any of us can possess: stay in touch with God.
Adult Challenge:
Pray more.
Youth Challenge:
What are some things you’ve been praying for? Do you ever think about that? Asking God’s help to strengthen personality traits. Like asking God for more patience, a less judgmental heart, compassion, or a discerning heart like Solomon? There is an old joke that says,” be careful if you ask God for something like more patience because you will then find yourself in situations where your patience is really tested.” I spent much of the winter and spring of this year focusing on simply loving people more. Both strangers and people I already knew. It seems like everywhere i went people were driving me CRAZY! It is challenging, but so is learning to play an instrument or master the elastico in soccer...it takes practice. You cannot practice something without getting out there and testing it. It also reminds me that God is listening. I encourage you to spend some time praying about something like this. Then keep a journal of the opportunities you experience to work on them.
Children's Challenge:
How would you answer God’s question (vs 5) “Ask for anything you want me to give you.”
Read Solomon’s answer in vs. 9.
Who is the wisest person you know? Why? What makes you think this person is wise?
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