Image: CRBCers visiting residents at Epworth Manor last Sunday afternoon and
handing out potted plants with Scripture verses made at VBS (6.23.19).
Note: Devotion taken from last Sunday's sermon on 1 Kings 3:
1 Kings 3:5: In Gibeon
the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I
shall give thee.
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?
1 Kings 3:10: And the
speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.
The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night (v. 5a) and
says to him, “Ask what I shall give thee” (v. 5b).
Solomon offers a prayerful response. One commentator
observed: “we may rightly take Solomon’s prayer as instructive in the art of
prayer” (Dale Ralph Davis, 1 Kings,
34).
Solomon begins by rehearsing the Lord’s goodness in
fulfilling his promise to David his father, that he would have a son sit on the
throne of Israel (vv. 6-7a; cf. 2 Sam 7:12ff).
We also see Solomon’s humility as he says, “and I am but a
little child…” (v. 7b). Think of how dependent a child is on his parents to
care for him. Such was Solomon’s dependence on the heavenly Father.
Solomon further notes the honor of his having been set “in
the midst” as king among God’s people (v. 8).
Solomon then asks the Lord to give him a heart of
understanding (or, a “hearing heart”), so that he might judge the people and
discern between good and evil (v. 9). The word “heart” does not have the
sentimental meaning of modern usage, but it refers to the seat of the
intellect, affection, and will.
Solomon was asking not how he might be served but how he
might serve God’s people through obedience.
This pleased the Lord (v. 10). We want to be God-pleasers and
not man-pleasers. We want to have the smile of God on our words and deeds.
Solomon had this peculiar favor!
Now consider how you might respond should the Lord say to
you, “Ask what I shall give thee.” What do you need or want most from the Lord?
Would you ask for something that merely pleases the flesh? Or, would you ask
the Lord to give you an understanding heart, so that you might best serve him
and his people?
Consider James 1:5: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask
of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Grace and peace, Pastor
Jeff Riddle
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