Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read 1 Kings 3:5-13.
We are continuing this week to look at the motivations behind different people in the Bible. Today we are reading about how young King Solomon was motivated by a desire to lead God’s people with wisdom.
The Message interprets this young king’s prayer request in his dream this way: “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?”
God recognized that young King Solomon’s request was not for his own benefit but for the benefit of others. God responds acknowledging that Solomon didn’t ask for long life, or riches, or the doom of his enemies, but for the ability to lead and govern well. Other translations translate Solomon’s request as a “discerning heart” or an “understanding mind”. God grants Solomon’s request and adds the gifts of the things he didn’t request.
Wisdom, understanding and discernment for the sake of others are truly gifts from God. In my younger years, dedicated church members offered the worship service’s prayer of thanksgiving for the tithes and offerings. Several times during the year an individual who had been a lifetime dairy farmer offered the prayer. His prayer reflected his deep dependency on God from his life as a dairy farmer. His prayers held much wisdom and understanding from his own God-listening heart. Who are wisdom-filled individuals you have known throughout your lifetime?
Personal Worship Option:
For the sake of others, Solomon prayed for a gift, a God-listening heart, which could only come from God. As we ponder the needs of others, how might that change our prayer requests unto God? James 1:5 says, “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given to you.”
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