1 Kings 3:16-28 - Solomon's wisdom. I have heard this story ridiculed many times. People scoff at a king that would cut a baby in half, pointing out the cruelty & bloodshed included in the Bible. I simply pray for those people, because they have blinded themselves to the truth. This event is not about cutting a baby in half. Instead it shows us how to solve arguments by determining one's motivations. He-said-she-said disagreements are hard to solve simply because there are no witnesses other than the two people who are attempting to get what they want. In order to get to the heart of the matter, you must look at the heart of the people. Solomon solved the disagreement by discovering which woman had the child's best interest at heart. The woman that should care for him was the one that is willing to give him up in order to keep him safe.
So often we look only at the surface, quickly judging by what we see and hear. But that is only half the equation. You cannot judge a person's actions until you understand that person. I work in a public elementary school. We have many students that have behavioral problems, yet these are not naughty children. Each one acts out for a different reason. Solving their behavior issues takes time and an understanding of why they do what they do. Do you know what this is called? Relationship. And that is what the Bible is all about - our relationship with God & our relationship with others. True wisdom comes from taking the time and effort needed to understand a person's motivations.
The last portion of our reading tells us that Solomon was very wealthy and ruled a large kingdom. God blessed him in his endeavors because he put his relationship with God first and he valued wisdom. Once again - it's all about relationships. When we take the time to build our relationship with God - good things happen. When we understand that He is the creator of the universe & He has the best plan, then we take the time to learn His plan and carry it out - well, it's going to be successful. When we build relationships with others, understanding who they are and treating them with respect - well, your social & business dealings will be successful. There is no magic formula for getting God's blessing. Focusing on doing everything right won't make us successful. Spending time getting to know the Lord, His heart, His will - that is where true success lies.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Monday, March 3, 2014
2 Chronicles 1:1-12; 1 Kings 3:4-14
Solomon establishes his kingdom publicly by worshiping the Lord. Solomon knows that the kingdom is not his, but God's. The people are not his, but God's. He is simply the caretaker. So, when asked what he wants, Solomon asks for wisdom. This is a humble request born out of a heart that desires to serve the Lord in the best way possible.
Sometimes I ask myself, "Is this my heart? My prayer? Do I seek to do my best for the Lord? Do I seek the tools necessary to understand and carry out His will and purpose for my life? Or do I look at my life through pride and selfishness, only seeking temporary comforts and rewards?" Our life seems so short, and our world tells us to live it to the fullest. Seek pleasure and comforts while you can. But this is a narrow, materialistic approach, for there is a bigger picture to life. Ever heard the saying, "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime?"
Our lives should be focused on the big picture - eternity, not only for ourselves but for our neighbors as well. Notice that when Solomon focused on the big picture and humbly asked for that which would allow him to succeed in the purpose God laid out for him, he also gained the blessings of riches and honor. When we put our focus on God's purpose, all the rest falls into place. We can spend a lifetime scratching and clawing for money, security, pleasure - always struggling, always obsessing. Or we can spend a lifetime focusing on God and His ways - resting in His love, grace, and mercy - and let God take care of us. That seems like a much more peaceful road, now doesn't it?
Sometimes I ask myself, "Is this my heart? My prayer? Do I seek to do my best for the Lord? Do I seek the tools necessary to understand and carry out His will and purpose for my life? Or do I look at my life through pride and selfishness, only seeking temporary comforts and rewards?" Our life seems so short, and our world tells us to live it to the fullest. Seek pleasure and comforts while you can. But this is a narrow, materialistic approach, for there is a bigger picture to life. Ever heard the saying, "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime?"
Our lives should be focused on the big picture - eternity, not only for ourselves but for our neighbors as well. Notice that when Solomon focused on the big picture and humbly asked for that which would allow him to succeed in the purpose God laid out for him, he also gained the blessings of riches and honor. When we put our focus on God's purpose, all the rest falls into place. We can spend a lifetime scratching and clawing for money, security, pleasure - always struggling, always obsessing. Or we can spend a lifetime focusing on God and His ways - resting in His love, grace, and mercy - and let God take care of us. That seems like a much more peaceful road, now doesn't it?
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