I thought it would be fitting for my first post to make a clear statement that any wisdom that might find its way into my life is not something I have created, earned, or achieved but wisdom that is given to me from my wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I think it is important to recognize that we are in need of God’s wisdom in our lives and that need is very present in the world today with all that we see going on around us.
2 Chronicles 1 (NASB) starts out by making an unarguable note in regards to the fact that Solomon is strongly established as the ruler of his kingdom and that God ‘exalted him greatly’. Solomon and and a large group of leaders went on a journey to the tabernacle so they could offer sacrifices. That night, God came to Solomon and said to him “Ask what I shall give you”.
Can you imagine how you would respond to a question as strong as that? I hope I would answer in a similar manner to that of Solomon’s response. Solomon, who clearly already had a strong and healthy foundation of leadership as king could have taken an approach of “expand my kingdom to cover even a greater portion of the earth” or “increase my riches”, etc… When you are offered a “blank check” of sorts by God, what is it that really is important? Is it your possessions, how well known you are, how powerful you are, or is it to be the best person that God wants you to be?
See, Solomon was the king of a great nation and being a leader of a nation is not something he took lightly. He believed that he was there because of God’s plan and that there was a great reason for Solomon to be in the place that he was in. I love these words of Solomon in 2 Chronicles 8-10:
Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. “Now, O LORD God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over ba people as numerous as the dust of the earth. “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?”
Solomon recognized the great task he had in front of him and the great depth of knowledge and wisdom it would take to lead all of the people. He said “for who can rule this great people of yours?” Solomon started with the right attitude for he didn’t act like he was the most qualified or as if he had everything it takes to make the right decisions in regards to the people of Israel. He asked God to give him wisdom so that he could handle each individual decision as he goes out and comes in before the people.
Solomon recognized that it was going to take more than what he possessed to lead the nation of Israel so when offered a gift from God, he asked him for wisdom and knowledge in how to deal with the people.
How does this apply to us? Well, you (yes, you) must realize that God has an “Israel” of sorts for you. What I mean by this is that just as Solomon was charged with leading the people of Israel, so are you called and charged to lead people in your life. In order to effectively navigate this life, we need God’s wisdom. Therefore, I want you to first recognize that God has a great plan, call, and appointment for your life. He wants to use you in many ways in your family, with your friends, at your place of employment, and in the passions that He gives to you.
We must, in recognition of this great calling we have from Christ, ask Him to give us wisdom and knowledge in how to effectively walk and speak in His wisdom and knowledge so that we can truly make a difference in this world. If we were to try and do this on our own, we would fall flat on our face, even if it seems like we have “success”. In order to truly impact this world for Christ and to make a difference with those who God calls us to lead, we must always fall to our knees in humility, recognizing and asking God to give us the wisdom and knowledge to do what is needed to meet the needs of those out in the world.
Lord, help us all to recognize that we both have a great calling to touch the lives of the people in this world and that with that great calling comes the requirement of great wisdom, knowledge, and sensitivity in how to deal with sharing with these people about You Jesus. So today Lord we pray that you give us this wisdom and knowledge daily in order to effectively reach those around us, in Your Name we pray Jesus, Amen.