The Wisdom of....

1 Kings 3:9

"Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?"

Wisdom, discernment, understanding. The name Solomon is synonymous with these qualities. The "wisdom of Solomon" is a term used as often as the "patience of Job".

An interesting exercise is to insert your name into one of those and see how accurate a term it would be. For instance, the "wisdom of (your name)". What am I known for with regards to character?

Solomon's request and prayer to God should be echoed in our own hearts. Solomon writes in Proverbs of how God blesses the wise and how the foolish have nothing but sorrow. Our choice, when viewing these two options becomes quite obvious.

Am I asking God for wisdom? How would I see that manifest in my life when God answers my prayer?

"Only..."

1 Kings 3:3

"And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places."

Only...

The "however", the "except", the "but", the "and yet".

James 2:10

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

It should be every Christian's desire to live a righteous and pleasing life to God, all the whole realizing that only He is truly righteous. We are called to be like Christ, holy as He is holy, yet the fulfillment of that will only come after this life has passed. Until then we see our own shortcomings and faults. Those areas of constant struggle and frustration with the flesh.

Realizing those areas is the first step in addressing them. We cannot shrug our shoulders and say, "Oh well, at least everything else is right in my life." The Christian life is constant battle in the midst of unspeakable peace of Christ's salvation. What is displeasing to our Lord should receive our full attention as we strive to be holy as He is holy.

What is that "only" in my life? The one sin I can't seen to let go? Or perhaps I do not see it? Ask God to show you, and then do all you can in His power to remedy the issue.

Blessings and Obedience (2)

1 Kings 2:3

"And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:"

As Christians we love God because He first loved us. We obey God because we love Him. Obedience brings benefits to our lives.

Think of it like an earthly parent-child relationship. A child may obey a command from a parent, while concealing a bad attitude. The child still reaps the rewards of obedience even though the child's heart was not obedient.

In the same way, a nonbeliever's obedience may benefit them, however they miss out on the true benefit of obedience from a sincere, believing heart. The true benefit is a close, reconciled relationship with our Heavenly Father. That is what God wants in His relationship with His children on a moment by moment basis.

Am I a child of God? Am I enjoying the benefits of obedience? If not, why not? Is my heart attitude reconciled to God?

Blessings and Obedience (1)

1 Kings 2:3

"And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:"

At first glance it may appear that David is promising Solomon the blessings of God in his life if he does all these "good works". In this New Testament of grace that we are blessed to live in, this idea seems repugnant since we all know it is by grace that we are saved and receive God's favor. We know all our righteous works are like filthy, disgusting rags compared with God's true righteousness.

But take a closer look and it will become apparent that this is not what David means at all.

In this" game of life " that we all play, who made the rules? God did of course. He laid out commandments and judgments for us to follow. And just like any game, those who follow the rules will succeed. Can an unbeliever reap the benefits of honesty? Of course. What about faithfulness? Or compassion? An unbeliever can exhibit these qualities, following God's rules, and gain benefit from doing so.

So as a believer, doing good, following God's commands, is not done to curry favor, but out of love, and rewards are reaped. An unbeliever, perhaps even unwittingly may follow a command of God and also reap these benefits, not even knowing why.

continued...

They Were Not With Adonijah

1 Kings 1:8

"But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah."

The easy choice would be to go with the young, charismatic leader that everyone seemed to love and flock to. But instead these men stood firm in loyalty to what they believed was right. They were not with Adonijah and history sees them as heroes.

Who am I with? Who am I not with? My heart and life is a kingdom with a king. Someone will rule me. Who will I choose to be king of my heart? Myself? Selfish desires? Money? Or perhaps the True King of kings?

But no one can serve two masters. I must make a conscious choice. It cannot be that I mentally acknowledge that God is my King. A subject obeys, respects, loves his king and serves Him willingly.

Who is king of my heart and life?

The Cost of Obedience

2 Samuel 24:24

"And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."

What costs little often means little. A sacrifice is not a sacrifice unless it costs something.

Obedience is a kind of sacrifice and an offering that means more to God than physical sacrifices. Obedience is not usually easy, in fact it is more often than not painful and hard. Why is that? Because it is a sacrifice of selfish desires. Basic obedience happens when my desire is opposite of God's command and I choose to obey His command versus my selfish desire.

However this is not the purest obedience. The purest obedience comes when before the command is given, I have already sacrifices my selfish desires and surrendered to God's will. Then when the command comes I willingly obey with a glad heart. Not from compulsion or fear of punishment, but out of love.

What does my daily obedience look like? What is my attitude behind my obedience?

Bravery and Self-Sacrifice

2 Samuel 23:12

"But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory."

The praises of David's mighty men is spoken of here and we see that they were truly remarkable in their feats of bravery and valor. Yet the Lord is ultimately given the glory.

Bravery and valor do not come from within. Think of your own heart, your deepest feelings and thoughts. Are they, at the core and center, selfless, or selfish? All of us look out primarily for ourselves. Sometimes even our selfless acts are done for selfish reasons (glory, fame, recognition, etc.).

So if we are basely selfish, how can we ever be brave? Bravery is selflessness and love in tangible action. Those qualities come from one source - Jesus Christ. Only when He invades our lives, takes over completely, can we ever hope to be truly brave.

Do I desire to be brave? Do I desire it enough to surrender? Let Christ take over, it is an essential first step we each must take.

Justice and Fear of the Lord

2 Samuel 23:3

"The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."

In David's time, God chose out the rulers Himself. To this day He still governs in the affairs of men and rulers rise and fall at His behest. But to us privileged citizens of America, He has granted the freedom to make a choice in our leaders. However, He gives two conditions, leaders must be just and rule in the fear of God.

What does it mean to be just? Justice is equality under the law. Justice is blind to partiality, weighing only the facts. Not respecting persons, great or small, justice does what is right and true.

What does it mean to rule in the fear of God? This means a belief in eternal rewards and punishments. A good leader will realize that what he does on this earth in a position of leadership will have repercussions. And he will be answerable to God Almighty, the King of kings, for those repercussions. Therefore his actions are done in light of eternity, not for temporal, personal gain.

God calls each of us to be a leader in one way or another. Whether it be in government, in the home as a father, or as a parent to children, or simply a leader to an unbeliever showing them the true path, we are all called to lead. What kind of leader am I? Am I just? Do I walk everyday and make my decisions in the fear of the Lord?

Give Thanks Among the Heathen

2 Samuel 22:50

"Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name."

Praising God with other Christians is part of the weekly worship of most believers. Most enjoy getting together, sharing prayer requests and answers to this prayers. Most like singing songs of praise with fellows in the faith. But how many of us know what it is like to praise God among the heathen?

There are countless lost souls that we encounter throughout our lives. And to some of them we might be the only ray of God's sunlight they ever see. Do I ever think to tell them of the love God has given me, an unworthy, wretched sinner?

If you truly consider what the modern, evangelical concept of "witnessing" is, you'll find that boiled down to its main component, it is nothing more than a form of praising God. A witness tells of something he has seen or experienced. A witness for the Lord is telling others of the love, grace and mercy that they have had from Christ. Praising God, thanking Him, singing His worth to the heathen.

Am I praising God among the unsaved, those who are lost and on their way to Hell?

Iniquity Within

2 Samuel 22:24

"I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity."

As Christians we realize that the Spirit and the flesh war against each other in our bodies. The flesh is constantly, incessantly pulling us toward wickedness and iniquity while the Spirit calls us to the light of righteousness and truth.

David recognizes this war in his own life. And he did view it as a war, as must we. The words used here are very telling.

First, David acknowledged the iniquity as belonging to him personally. "Mine iniquity". He didn't see it as an outside force attempting to corrupt something good, but rather as something within him. Our flesh.

Second, David took an active part in resisting the fleshly draw of iniquity. "I have kept myself ". David didn't just pray and trust God (though he did do those things) and then hope it worked out. Instead he actively worked to keep himself away from the iniquity that lay coiled in his own heart.

Am I actively resisting with the grace and power of God's Spirit the iniquity that hides within me?

In Front of My Eyes

2 Samuel 22:23

"For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them."

David attempted to keep God's command before him, in front of him, in his face, where he could not escape then or ignore them. How does one do that?

First, memorizing God's Word. Hide His words in your heart. They should be within you, not something you have to go find. When a situation confronts you, the Word of God should be your guide.

Second, read His Word daily. But don't just read, study. Seek to understand through prayer and research what God is saying to you.

Third, listen to the Holy Spirit. God's own Spirit resides in each of His children. He is the "Still Small Voice" that we must strive to hear. Block out the distractions. Focus.

How have I tried to keep God's command before me today?

Humble: He Delights in Me

2 Samuel 22:18-20

"He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me."

We see two very striking things here. One, David, a mighty man of valor, fearless warrior, admits "they were too strong for me." And two, the reason David cites for his deliverance was "because He delighted in me."

A humble man knows who he is in light of Who God is -a wretched, sinful, powerless human. No matter my accomplishments, are we really so arrogant as to believe that there is something we can do that God cannot? Or is it that we generally are just not mindful of His workings in our lives?

A humble man knows who he is in light of Who God is - a wretched, sinful, powerless human...who is loved beyond the limits of man's cognition. Humility is recognizing my unworthiness and at the same time my worthiness in God's eyes because of Christ's sacrifice for me. Humility sees the marvelous dichotomy that is the grace and mercy of God. His mercy withholds the punishment and hell that we deserve. His grace showers us with the love and "all spiritual riches" that we do not, and cannot deserve.

Am I humble today, in the trust sense of the word?

My Rock

2 Samuel 21:2

"And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;"

Rocks are unmoving, grounded, steady. A rock doesn't change on a whim or move from its place.

A fortress is a place of safety. It if defended from attacks. It is secure, impenetrable. It is a place where people of like mind, on the same side of a cause can take refuge and find succor.

A deliverer has others in mind, thinking not of their own needs but of the needs of others. A deliverer risks life and limb to aid another. A deliverer sees evil or harm and moves to protect the victims.

All this and more is our God. David knew it from direct personal experience. Can I say the same about the God that I have experienced? Where is my fortress, rock and refuge? Where do I go when times are hard? Entertainment? Amusement? Lustful passion? Carnal appetites? Or do I forsake that which will only cause me harm, that which He came to deliver me from, and instead run to the One Who satisfies and truly fulfills?

Where Are You Leading?

2 Samuel 18:5-7

"And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.

Proverbs 29:8a

"Where there is no vision the people perish..."

David's mourning not only confused his followers, but also discouraged them. Risking life and limb they had fought for David. They had won a great victory but instead of gladness they saw sorrow and regret from their leader.

As Christians we are all to be leaders, leading the lost to Christ, leading our brothers and sisters in Christ to know Him better. As Paul said, follow me as I follow Christ. A good leader though must look ahead, not back.

In David's regret of the past his followers almost all left him. Do I look back on my past with regret? Do I regret having to forsake my sin? Do I miss the wickedness of my past? Sin is always that well dressed corpse and in hindsight it appears beautiful and alluring.

We cannot ever think of ourselves alone. Think of those who are following you. There are people you may not even realize are following you, using you as an unknowing example. What result will my actions have on them? Where am I leading? Am I leading forward with purpose and vision? Or standing still in regret?

Absalom

2 Samuel 18:33

"And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

Here we see the heart of a father and the endless love he had for a son that betrayed and tried to ruin him. There is little doubt that David would have forgiven Absalom if he had only asked. But instead he rebelled and fled from the only person that could restore peace. And in so doing sealed his death.

Are not we the Absalom to our Heavenly Father? He loves us with a love unfathomable. Yet we run from Him, rebel against His love. But still He never give up and He never will.

Am I honoring my Heavenly Father today? Or am I being a rebellious Absalom?

"I exhort you..."

1 Timothy 2:1-4

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

God desires that all should come to know Him. A quiet and peaceable life in godliness and honesty is good, acceptable and the best way to bring all to the knowledge of the truth. Therefore, because of these stated reasons, pray for your leaders, those in authority.

The Bible tells us when the righteous are in authority the people rejoice (peace) but when the wicked rule the people mourn (no peace). It follows that praying for our leaders, praying for righteous leaders, will bring peace, and peace allows us to share the Gospel with the world.

Now, this peace Paul is talking about does not depend on outward circumstances, it is that inner peace that passes all understanding that comes from the presence of God in our lives. Whether times are peaceful or full of tribulation, a believer trusting in Christ will not be moved.

Pray for your leaders, so that we can live quiet and peaceable lives, so we can share the Gospel.

Have I prayed for my leaders today and those that are running to be my leaders?

Neglecting to Trust

2 Samuel 17:14

"And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom."

"God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his knowledge, is it likely that an empire can rise without his assistance?" -Benjamin Franklin (paraphrased)

"Why should I be discouraged? Why should my heart be sad? His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

Life is incomprehensible. To our human minds, nothing much makes sense in our limited view of the grand scheme. The illustration has been used - life is like a pile of puzzle pieces with no picture to guide you. God is putting each piece in place, but someday we will see the "picture on the box" and suddenly everything will make perfect sense.

Worry is pointless. Grumbling and complaining is sin. God is in control in ways we cannot even fathom. Trust Him, not your flawed understanding of how things would work.

What do I need to trust God for that I am neglecting to? Are there things in my past that I am bitter toward God about because they didn't make sense at the time?