1 Kings 3:5-12 (NRSV)
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Verse 5At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, "Ask what I should give you." Verse 6And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. Verse 7And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Verse 8And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Verse 9Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?" Verse 10It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. Verse 11God said to him, "Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, Verse 12I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.
Devotion
This is a good day for a God pause. Let’s do it. The reading in 1 Kings tells of the young King Solomon having a dream in which God says, “Ask what should I give you?” The young Solomon faces great responsibility to be the new king following his father, David. He doesn’t even know how to behave as a king going in and out in a procession. What’s he going to do? Solomon asked God for understanding and a wise and discerning mind. Wisdom is what he needed.
You and I face challenges and responsibilities each day. We wonder how we’ll get through it. When facing a confounding challenge, it’s good to ask God for an understanding, wise, and discerning mind. In these fast changing, often overwhelming times, that’s what I need. How about you?
Prayer
Lord, we, too, ask for the gifts of discernment and wisdom in our lives. We face many challenges, responsibilities, and uncertainties. Ground us and the decisions we make in your gracious love. Amen.
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