King Solomon Chooses Wisdom

Perhaps this is a frustrating lesson to you because you know God would never give you an opportunity like He gave Solomon. Then try a different outlook. Don't ask God for Solomon's options; ask Him for wisdom for your circumstances. Incidentally, when you do have the occasion to request of God, what do you ask for? What could you ask for?

A Kingdom Mentality. God's kingdom. This is foremost. Jesus said so. But we are inclined to seek and ask for other things first. We sail through "The Lord's Prayer" rather blithely, not quite meaning nor living the first request. Are you asking for an expansion of His kingdom...or yours? We are generally very aware of how we can or would like to advance our own interests. But how can God's kingdom be promoted? "Seek ye first the kingdom of God...."

A Servant's Heart. We need major surgery. In fact, we need a transplant. We must be concerned for and motivated by the welfare of others. This is a trademark of a citizen of God's kingdom. What limits would you put on your service if you could be Jesus' personal servant in a visible way? I'll tell you: whatever limits you establish in your service to others. "As ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

The Saints' Success. I realize you don't know much about the real life struggles, decisions, sorrows, defeats, challenges, and oppor- tunities of the saints. But in a general sort of way, you can begin to pray "with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." And if you keep your heart, eyes, and ears wide open, you will be amazed at all the information just floating around out there. Use it as grist for the petition mill, not the rumor or gossip mills!

Laborers. "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few." The harvest is heavy on the Lord's heart. It won't be on yours until you too get a vision of the whiteness of the fields. The Sender wants you to petition Him for laborers. May this grip your heart. Maybe we need to spend less time praying for the lost and more time praying for laborers to send to the lost!

Oh, you say you thought this was supposed to be a lesson on wisdom? It is! Can you not see how this kind of asking out of a pure heart actually fixes wisdom deep into your heart? As you become more a person after God's own heart, He will find greater freedom to implant His wisdom in your heart. He entrusts His wisdom to those who through its use will exalt Him. Solomon's fame at the time of the queen of Sheba was "concerning the name of the LORD."

As the years pass and you become aware of an increasing portion of God's wisdom in you, remember what distinguishes a wise man from a wise guy. A wise man is humble, ever aware of his ignorance and lack of wisdom. A wise guy is a proud know-it-all, anxious to display his "wisdom." A wise man learns; a wise guy learned.

One closing look at Solomon. Under what circumstances does the well of wisdom run dry for someone? When they cease to live it. Solomon's particular course into life's Death Valley could be charted very simply-- wisdom-carelessness-immorality-idolatry-foolish hopelessness. Wisdom is of no avail unless it is lived out. And wisdom becomes unavailable when it is not lived out.

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