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Proverbs 3:13-18 ESV
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. ...
If you read last week's Sunday Substack, you know I’m taking my time reading through the Old Testament. The book 1 Kings starts with the story of Solomon, who took the throne when he was only about 20 years old.
Near the beginning of assuming his kingship duties, he had a dream where the Lord said to him, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I'll give it to you." (1 Kings 3:5)
What did Solomon ask for?
Not for loyal servants, staff, and military commanders. Not for great wealth. Not for a long reign. Not for pristine health. Not even for a long life.
He asked for wisdom. For uprightness of heart. For an understanding mind. For discernment between good vs. evil.
What is wisdom?
Webster defines wisdom as “the ability to discern, have insight, good judgment.”
Wisdom, as in the Old Testament, is a God-given and God-centered discernment regarding the practical issues in life. Wisdom comes from prayer for God's help.
If you were given that dream, if you were told by God that you could have ANYTHING you want, where would you start? What would you pray for? Would you pray for fame and/or fortune? Would you pray for a job or a promotion? Would you pray for health/healing for yourself or for someone you love? Would you pray for the perfect life partner and relationship? Would you pray to have children or grandchildren? Would you pray for World Peace?
Would you pray for wisdom?
Would any of us have been intuitive enough at 20 years of age to make wisdom our number one, top-of-the-line request?
Because he was still so young, Solomon didn’t have decades of trial and error or personal experience. But Solomon had observed the rivalries of his brothers, Absalom vs Amnon (2 Sam 13:32), then later the arrogantly attempted crown coup by his brother Adonijah (1 Kings 1:5). He saw the treachery then the dramas of Joab, Abner, and Amasa. But from what we are told, David didn’t spend much time teaching his young heir about the ins-and-outs of being a king and being a leader.
But Solomon knew he couldn’t figure it out on his own. So he asked God for help. He asked for wisdom.
Note that he didn’t ask for knowledge or the ability to do the right thing. He asked for the ability to know what was right and true. He asked for a depth of insight that goes beyond superficial evaluation.
The next time you are pondering a difficult decision or new opportunity, ask God for wisdom. Ask for the wisdom to make the best choice in accordance with His plan for your life.
It will please God. (1 Kings 3:10).
And perhaps, in His goodness, mercy, and love, He will give you many blessings for which you have not even thought to ask. (1 Kings 3:13)
A few years ago, for the first time in all my years as a Christian, I read through the old testament. It was absolutely amazing. I remember reading about Solomon. It was so inspiring, until I got to the part where it talked about his huge haram. He had so many wives and concubines, (more than a thousand) and most of them were followers of pagan gods. This was his downfall. Lust turned his heart from God. How grievous. God had blessed him tremendously, more than any previous king and more than any later kings, but Solomon threw it away. The big lesson I learned from reading about all the failures of the kings in the old testament was how much we need Jesus. Story after story of His people forgetting Him and failing Him and turning their hearts from Him. That is why Jesus came.
"Then people all over the earth will know that the LORD alone is God and there is no other." 1 Kings 8:60 NLT
What is the thing most wise to do in this life?
Wisdom from above always leads us to do what is most significant, and sometimes, we can't see what's most important until we reduce our lives to the essentials, the things that matter most.
"So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
The Direction? Which way should we go?
The LORD has equipped us with unique gifts and abilities for His purposes. Go in the Direction where your GOD-given potentials (Gifts) can be best utilized to serve others, doing the things most important for the LORD's Kingdom. This ought to be what is most concerning to all of us as GOD's people. Doing the things that will last forever and not fade away, grow old, and not see corruption, storing our treasures in Heaven.
"But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well." Matthew 6:33 CEV
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33 NIV
The Direction? Which way should we go?
"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
His Direction is one of rest for our souls, easy to bear, and a light burden. Our works don't earn our way to Heaven, nor do they give us a more secure place in His Kingdom. What we do for the LORD is out of gratitude, an act of worship to honor the One who is above all things. The One who's given us a new life and Hope with a future, the One who is worthy of all our praise.
The Direction? Which way should we go?
"Show me the right path, O LORD,
point out the road for me to follow." Psalm 25:4 NLT
Conformation: an act of conforming, to make firm, give assurance.
"Which way should we go?"
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 NIV
We should all desire to be used by the LORD in these last days. Again, whether we know it or not, we have all been equipped for his purposes. It is not an accident that you have been blessed with the skills and abilities to perform specific tasks, or even if you think you have no special skills, you do and need to believe it because GOD has created everyone unique. What is the Direction to take next? How am I equipped for the mission? The LORD will give you confirmation and enable you to move forward.
"This is a Confirmation"
The feeling the LORD is calling you for His purposes. He's calling you to do something, or you're asking to be called.
Identify the unique GOD-given special gifts you have. "I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that." 1 Corinthians 7:7 NIV
No ability, large or small, is to be overlooked but noticed as a potential to be used by the LORD for His purposes. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17 NIV
No act of service is to be considered insignificant. Be reminded most minor things done for the LORD most often have the most significant impact in effecting the bigger picture.
How can this Direction encourage, Motivate, and build up the body of Christ and humanity, ultimately leading to being used to save lost souls?
Will this Direction fulfill the Great Commission? "When the good news about the kingdom has been preached all over the world and told to all nations, the end will come." Matthew 24:14 CEV
Will this Direction bring glory to GOD? Will your acts of service honor Him. "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Revelation 4:11 NIV
Waiting patiently on the LORD in prayer until He answers, no matter how long it takes. Remembering it's not our plan we are asking for, but His, because His plan is better, and His timeline perfect. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD." Isaiah 55:8 NIV
"We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9 NLT Remember that GOD is Sovereign, and He has control of all things. As we accept a confirmation and have decided to move in a particular direction, "WE WILL NEED TO STEP OUT IN FAITH." It is the LORD who will be directing us and redirecting us along that path forward. We are to walk in faith without doubting. Knowing that He will lead us to His eventual pre-planned outcome.
Now, this is the time you trust in the LORD completely. Be confident in your decision. You don't need to know all the details. You only need to take the first step, take that step, and have no fear, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 NIV
"Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands toward Heaven, and he prayed,
"O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of Heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion." 1 Kings 8:22-23 NLT
Desert Road. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8sazOiolF8&list=RDMM&index=3
Love on Fire. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eUJaCfkBwI&list=RDMM&index=4
Holy Ground. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgpa6DOLSuY&list=RDMM&index=2
COME HOME. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5KbOEgc2OI&list=RDMM&index=6
A note about the music selected. This music allows the LORD to speak to our hearts deeply. The music further gives us comfort, (confirmation) (Direction), and encouragement, which will strengthen us to move forward. . .
GOD bless you all!