Scripture:
2 Chronicles 1:10-12 ESV
[10] Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” [11] God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, [12] wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”
Observation:
I love this part of the scripture. Solomon had an opportunity to have whatever he wanted. If we pay attention to how all this went down. We see that the LORD came to him. That doesn’t just happen. GOD saw to HIS promise HIS plan was to establish David’s throne forever. When HE came to Solomon to bless him with his heart’s desire, HE found that his heart desired to lead with wisdom. Solomon was not facing an easy task. Israel and Judah had grown into great nations… wait, wasn’t that another promise from the LORD to someone else? Maybe a guy named Abraham. Ok, back on track. One of my points is that GOD is true to HIS promises. Solomon was facing an issue that was a great blessing he had a lot of people to oversee, and he could not do it with the wisdom of an average man. So when the LORD approached him, his first thought was of others. I need to know how to lead these people righteously, and that is going to take wisdom. Honestly, he could have asked for anything. But he asked for wisdom. He asked for something that was not selfish or self-centered. He wanted to do what was right in all circumstances. The LORD heard his request and saw the intent of his heart and granted it. However, because Solomon’s heart was not motivated by self. GOD also granted him what he did not ask for. He made him the wealthiest man on the planet. I believe the LORD did this because HE knows that the wisdom HE granted Solomon would lead him to use his wealth to help others. Solomon’s heart was not selfish.
Application:
Ok, now let me summon my inner Solomon so we can figure out how to apply this to our lives. I’m just playing. In my life, I have made some really stupid mistakes. I’m just telling the truth. I am at a point now where what I ask for from GOD is wisdom. I have chased after the things of this world and gotten a hold of some of them only to find out that they do not fill that spot. You know the one I’m talking about, the one that makes you feel empty. The one that says Jesus is all you really need. Of course, you never really know that until Jesus is all you have. I love what James says about wisdom… if you need it, ask for it, and GOD will give it to you. I wonder if he got that information from the life of Solomon. I bet he did, and honestly, I bet James asked for wisdom himself. If you read his book, you will see it is full of it. Going to the book of Wisdom that Solomon wrote… proverbs, we see the phrase… knowledge puffs up, but wisdom builds up. Knowing a lot of stuff is great it makes you feel smart. But if you don’t know how it applies to you or those around you, it’s just knowledge and, for the most part, worthless. I want to know how knowledge applies. How can I use it to help others? All the stupid mistakes I have made over my life. Have a great benefit to others because wisdom has been gathered from them. The Bible tells us to seek wise counsel. That means if you don’t know, ask someone who does, and if you don’t have wisdom, ask the LORD, and HE will send the right scripture at just the right time, or the right person saying just the right thing my point is if we are chasing after the world we are heading after stuff but if we are chasing after wisdom we are chasing after turning hearts to Jesus. I want to lead people to Jesus. That’s my goal in life.
Prayer:
Father, help us not make stupid decisions in life. We want our lives to represent you. When people look at us, let them see the reflection of your son because that is what will draw them near to you. Wisdom is our desire. If it were not, we would not be digging into your word the way we do. The fact that we can know a lot about your word can make us feel like we have done something, but if there is no understanding of how it applies, then all we have gained is knowledge. That’s not our goal. We want to know and apply your word to our lives. That’s wisdom. That’s what we want. Money and fame will never satisfy us. The way a life lived with you will. You are our desire, and with you comes wisdom. Thank you for your love. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.