1 Kings
3:4–15—In the tale
of Aladdin’s lamp, Aladdin desires and receives great riches from the genie in
the lamp. If you could have anything your heart desired, what would it be?
Power? Wealth? Long life? Solomon humbly asked the LORD for wisdom to rule
God’s people well. His request was granted, and Solomon became the wisest man
ever to have lived. Because of his altruistically wise request, the LORD also
gave Solomon what he did not ask for: great riches and honor, far beyond any
other king.
We can benefit from Solomon’s wisdom in the books of Ecclesiastes and
Proverbs. We can benefit from the wisdom of God in all 66 books of the Holy
Bible.
This is the last week of an old year. A New Year will
soon dawn. Many reflecting on the year past resolve to do something new; lose
weight, drop a bad habit, start a new program. Sadly, within a few short days
the New Year’s resolution is yesterday’s news and as for all those good
intentions nothing really changes.
Solomon’s resolve is different. He asked the Lord for
a descending heart. Each of us could benefit from godly discernment. May we be
more keenly aware of the sensitivities of others, may we be quick to listen,
slow to speak, with a discriminating and judicious; well judged mind. James teaches, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow
to speak, slow to anger;” –James 1:19
“Quick to listen”
means that we train ourselves to wait for the whole story before diving in with
our opinion. “Slow to speak” is the
flip side of that. We control our words and don’t blurt out everything that
comes into our heads. Solomon’s request stands as a guide as we close out one
year looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that await us in the
coming New Year.
Prayer for grace to receive the Word: Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy
Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them,
read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of
Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of
everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with
Your and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[2]
-28 December 2022 —
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