If I could summarize this week’s blog in one word it would be wisdom. Many think they have it, not everyone desires it and we all need it. I read some children’s ideas of it recently:
Never trust a dog to watch your food. – Patrick, age 10
When your dad is mad and asks you, “Do I look stupid?” don’t answer him. – Michael, 14
Never tell your mom her diet’s not working. – Michael, 14
Stay away from prunes. – Randy, 9
Never allow your three-year old brother in the same room as your school assignment. – Traci, 14
Puppies still have bad breath, even after eating a tic tac. – Andrew, 9
Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time. – Kyoyo, 9
You can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. – Armir, 9
If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse. – Naomi, 15
Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick. – Lauren, 9
Don’t pick on your sister when she’s holding a baseball bat. – Joel, 10
Never try to baptize a cat. – Eileen, 8
Wisdom advice comes on the news, in the classroom, at church. Sometimes even on billboards or graffiti. I read a quote today that said, if at first you do not succeed, skydiving is not for you. That cracks me up. What does it mean to be successful or prosperous? Is it for everyone or just a select few? Whosoever wills applies to everyone when it comes to salvation. In 2 Kings, the book about King Solomon we find out his secret to success within the first few chapters:
2 kings 2:2-4
“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he (David) said. “So (Solomon) be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to Him, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go 4 and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’
Boy, oh boy does that mean that if EVERYONE did that, America would be great? That sounds like an awesome political promise as well as a spiritual one. Hmm. It was a gold deal for Solomon that can apply to us today. John said it this way, “2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 2.
There seems to be a theme threaded among these books – listen and obey. Whether it was to sons, judges or Kings, God required their obedience to HIS ways vs. their own.
Kings 3: 3-9
And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. (Lord take out all the “excepts” in our life!)
4 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”
6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an b]understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. 14 So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthenc] your days.”
The second wisest man that ever lived as we have learned by reading these verses had exceptions in his walk – sin. He married dreadfully wrong and got carried away with his decorating skills. However, this man, the son of the man known for being a man after God’s heart had a lot to say about wisdom. Proverbs shared a bit of that wisdom with us.
Psalms tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10. A life lived after God will display God’s signature on humanity. We can choose our folly or God’s wisdom. The results will glorify us or God- we choose daily whom we will serve.
This week I needed guidance and my friend Betty looked at me and said, “God gives wisdom to those who ask for it.” She is so right. James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Our response of love is to walk in the wisdom given.
We can read these passages and learn about the Kings, but we can also get a glimpse of THE King and surrender our lives to Him and His Kingdom. Lord, give us your wisdom and give us a discerning heart to know Your will. If the King is on the throne of your heart you will be lead by Him in His ways. To ask Him to be your Lord and Saviour visit the website and look under the Spiritual rest section. That decision of obedience makes the difference in everything.
Jesus, be the king of our hearts, the obedience of our lives and the leader of our wills. Amen.
RenaeRoche2019