Day 141/365- 1 Kings 3:11-13

"Wise Beyond Your Years"

So God replied, "Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! (1 Kings 3:11-13 NLT)

If God came to us & asked us, "What do you want?" how would we reply? Of all the things to ask for, what would come to mind first & foremost? Solomon asks for wisdom. He admits to God that he feels like a child who doesn't know where he is, as a leader of God's people. His father has been a great leader & God has done great things through David. Naturally he was feeling some pressure. I'm sure some feelings of not measuring up were present. But Solomon also possessed humility to know that the task before him was too great for him. If he was going to be a good leader, he would have to have God's help. So, he asks for wisdom & God gives it! But because of Solomon's humble response, God gives him even what he didn't ask for. What a generous God!

What would we ask for? Wealth? Power? Revenge? It's tough to pick just one thing. Solomon knew that the key to leading well, the key to being a good steward, the key to delivering justice was not found in any of these things in & of themselves. Instead, he knew that the key to all of these things as well as many others is wisdom. He needs God's wisdom to help him make all of the decisions he needs to make.

What are we pursuing then? Wealth? Power? Revenge? Anything else? Or, are we pursuing the wisdom that only God can give. All of life requires wisdom from God. We need God to help us make the best of our resources for his kingdom. We need God's wisdom to help us raise our kids, be good evangelists, invest our time in the best things. All of these things & more in this life require a wisdom that only God can give. How are we doing seeking his wisdom?