So give your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? 1Kings3:9
The main collector of Proverbs was Solomon. Let's look at his approach to wisdom.
When Solomon had newly been made king, God came to him at Gibeon and gave him an incredible offer: "Ask for whatever you want me to give to you."
Solomon didn't ask to win the lotto.
He had his eyes fixed on something more enduring.
He wanted wisdom.
He wanted his actions to be informed by God's insights and perspective.
He wanted God's guidance and God's fingerprints to characterise every step of his life's journey.
God answered Solomon's prayer, and, building on the foundation laid by his father David, Solomon built the nation of Israel. Never before and never again had Israel been so great!
If only Solomon had finished in the way that he had started!
Unfortunately he became distracted by success and intoxicated by power. Towards the end of his life Solomon made self-centred and short-cut decisions that sowed the seeds of destruction which would germinate after his death.
The pursuit of wisdom is something we should continue throughout life!
- When last did you read something to make you grow?
- When last did you review your values and principles?
- When last did you look at obstacles in your life as a learning opportunity?
- When last did you seriously and intentionally ask God to give you wisdom?
It's a prayer He loves to answer. (See James 1:5 - below)
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James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
