ask

 

The Word for today:
1 Kings 3 & 4

mark this: 1 Kings 3:5

If only God would promise to grant us wisdom, like he promised Solomon!

Well, he has:
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (1)

So, go ahead, pray for wisdom. But before you do, prepare your prayer by contrasting Solomon with Jesus.

Solomon prayed for wisdom, and God commends him, because he could have prayed for riches, like many of us would if we were given Solomon's choices.

But what kind of wisdom did he pray for? He prayed for political wisdom. He wanted the ability to be a statesman. He wanted to know how to judge and rule over Israel and make great national decisions. He prayed for wisdom concerning his own kingdom.

He did not pray to fulfill his role in God's Kingdom. He did not pray for spiritual discernment. You can sense this lack of a spiritual dimension in Ecclesiastes. As practical wisdom for this life, Ecclesiastes is invaluable--and is rightfully included in scripture, because God is practical and wants us to maneuver successfully through the circumstances we face today. It is practical wisdom of the highest order, but it will not begin to convey anyone to the cross.

On the other hand, Jesus tells us to--
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (2) .

Jesus tells us to pray--
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (3)

Now, turn again to James 1:5:
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

So ask--but be like Jesus and pray a bigger prayer. Pray for all-encompassing wisdom, Kingdom of God wisdom, spiritual wisdom.

Don't ask for just a sliver of wisdom, when you can ask for the whole pie. He wants you to have it all.

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(1) James 1:5; (2) Matthew 6:33; (3) Matthew 6:10