Prayer Journal
Tuesday, August 15, 2000
"Moreover I will give you what you have not asked for - both riches and honor - so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings." 1 Kings 3:3
King Solomon is remembered for demonstrating wisdom and for doing some really stupid things as well.
As a young man, Solomon had a dream where the Lord appeared to him and told him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you" (vs 5). Now, what would you say if God were to make that offer to you? (He does, by the way, in Mat 21:22) Solomon showed godly wisdom by asking for a discerning heart to govern God's people with the ability to distinguish between right and wrong.
What are some of the things one might wish when the God of the universe makes an offer like that? God recognized that Solomon could have asked for long life, wealth and victory over his enemies. God saw Solomon's heart and heard his confession, then proceeded to give him far more than he asked.
Notice, however, that even though God blessed him with wealth, victory over his enemies and discernment, he did not give him the guarantee of a long life. It seems that this blessing is a product of obedience to God.
If it was true with Solomon, it must be true today as well - God never changes! Solomon later wrote Proverbs. Listen to what Solomon "learned" from the experience of his youth (10:22-27):
"The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it. A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom. What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is a sluggard to those who send him. The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short."
Even with this "understanding" and the blessing of God upon his life, Solomon didn't heed his own warning, for in the end "what the wicked dreaded overtook him." (10:24) "Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done." 1 Kings 11:6
Here's a word of discernment for us today: "Obedience" never carries over. It must be demonstrated daily." Just Thinkin'.. WebServant
(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.
