Good Morning Friends,
You and I need as much, and perhaps more wisdom than Solomon needed in his day and age. We have very difficult choices facing each of us, and they are increasingly challenging and complex. And as we try and live our lives out in this progressively demanding, secularized, non-Christianized society, the increasingly important question comes up. How Do We Gain Collective Spiritual Wisdom?
Scripture: The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other king shall compare with you.
1 Kings 3:4-13 (NRSV)
The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
Mark 6:30-34 (NRSV)
The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!
Matthew 12:42 (NRSV)
“For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16 (NRSV)
If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.
James 1:5 (NRSV)
Message: There is something very different in the wisdom of Solomon and Jesus. Oh, they both are wise, and, intellectually, we can appreciate the discernment that Solomon possessed. But the understanding we begin to gain in a relationship with Jesus flows from a far greater wisdom…the personality and mind of Christ. Still we might be able to learn from Solomon how to begin to live a life that is full of wisdom. We might begin to learn the importance of loving God and honoring our parents in a way that points us to a relationship with Jesus. For Friends, ultimately, we must experience the wisdom of being a child of God. And that means sharing the plan, purpose, and perspective of Christ, which is something that all believers must possess through the power of the Holy Spirit. This wisdom, this better wisdom, is manifested in purposeful love that brings glory to God. There is a lot here to think about here. So, chew on it and digest it as you meditate on today’s scripture. Gain insight in the Word made flesh. Gain the wisdom found in in thinking more like Christ and activate it with love though actions that bring glory to God in the Spirit of God. Know friends that this is the kind of wisdom that lasts.
And So, there is wisdom we gain individually but the best is the collective wisdom when our spiritual gifts are connected with others to be the Body of Christ together. And short of this there is some knowledge that is reserved for God. The reality is that people want a wisdom that makes them comfortable with who they already are and how they already are. But as Solomon discovered this is all vanity. Most people want acceptance as they are, not repentance so they can be who they ought to be. Still, a practical belief in God must manifest itself in good works, not just a mere profession of faith. We must believe but also act. Maybe we cannot own the good works, but we can share in the experience of them with God. So, the purpose of this message and the purpose of today’s scripture is to challenge believers to possess an active faith which will produce real changes in their conduct and character to be more like Christ. That is the kind of wisdom that lasts.
Pray we realize that we have a saving faith in Christ and the gift of the mind of Christ available to us. Pray
we realize that as believers we have access to the wisdom of Jesus though scripture and the Holy Spirit. Pray we yield to the Spirit’s leanings. Pray we realize that the power of this wisdom is connected to the depth of our walk with God in prayer. Pray we realize the wisdom of prayer is to bring us in a closer we walk with God which in turn empowers us. Pray therefor we realize that the more we pray the more potent our prayers become. Pray we realize the importance of being dependent on God. Pray we understand the difference between earthly wisdom and spiritual wisdom. Pray we realize that true wisdom hinges on a relationship with Christ and the work God has given us. Pray we demonstrate this love and wisdom we have been given though the life we lead in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 