Daily Devotion, April 14, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read 1 Kings 3:5-9.

A treasured gift from friends, is a daily devotional book, A Leader’s Heart, by John Maxwell. When visiting these friends, I had noticed this book on their back porch and quickly learned how early they awaken for their morning devotions! They are active in service in their community and in their church. “Their joy in serving God and others,” they said, “comes from these times of devotion listening for God to lead them.”

We cannot lead without God leading us first. Solomon was young, and was not the oldest among his brothers. Perhaps he was overwhelmed with what was before him as the new King of Israel. God recognized that young Solomon was overwhelmed and as the scriptures said, “appeared to him in a dream.”

God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” If God appeared to us and asked us the very same question, there are many answers we might give! Asking for “a discerning heart” or as the NRSV translates it, “an understanding mind” might not be the first thing on our list!

God was pleased with Solomon’s answer and said, “I will give you a wise and discerning heart.” And Solomon led for many years with the wisdom which came as a gift from God. His leadership was successful in every way as he governed his people. And he is attributed with writing the Old Testament books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and The Song of Solomon.

In the end though, Solomon forgot this first principle of wisdom. He forgot, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Psalm 11:10) The words, “fear of the Lord,” call us to not to be “afraid” but to respect and remember that all the gifts we have, have truly come from God.

Personal Worship Option:

Sometimes leaders are called to be trailblazers. There is no prior path to follow. But when God calls, God leads and equips us for service. We are called first to listen and to follow God. True wisdom is always a gift from God. These verses are on the back of the book, A Leader’s Heart. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path." Proverbs 2:6, 8-9.