II Chronicles 1:7-12 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for You have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”
Quite a defining moment in this man's life. He did not ascend to the throne of Israel with the drama that his father David did. Solomon grew up as the son of a king. Nor is there any record of suffering in his life. There is a very interesting verse: 1 Peter 4:1-2 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
David suffered greatly. He was the object of scorn of his brothers.
He was hunted as a wild animal by Saul, living in caves and holes in the ground.
Solomon knew no such struggles. It would appear that before he became king he did not serve, rather had servants waiting on him.
Please do not compliment young pastors who have not suffered. Pray for them.
So a man, who had no felt needs in his life, who inherited the throne...
And yet
From this request...
1.We have a Gift in the Proverbs God gave Solomon.
Learn and Live
Read a chapter each day and you will got through the entire book 12 times a year. But more than that the LORD will fill you with wisdom and discernment.
If you read the Proverbs regularly in an organized manner you will gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Everyone is thinking they are going to be here forever... or indefinitely.
Proverbs shows us otherwise.
Example
Proverbs 22:24-25 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their waysand get yourself ensnared.
The Proverbs are a collection of sayings of the wise, mostly written by Solomon. They deal with all kinds of aspects of life but center in on our relationship to money, sex and power. He also addresses human relationships- Husband and Wife, Children and Parents, friendship, and work.
Solomon asked for wisdom, wrote down what God gave him and it would be to our advantage to study them regularly. It is a wise thing to seek wisdom.
In fact Solomon writes about this pursuit:
Proverbs 4:5-9 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”
So here is a gift. You have heard the saying, "That would take the wisdom of Solomon." Well here it is before us, ours for the taking. In the same generous spirit the LORD gave Solomon his request so He offers to wisdom, understanding and discernment.
It bothers me to see unwise believers. People who know Christ shooting themselves in the foot, making poor decisions, which harm their reputations and bring the Name of the LORD into it. I have heard some say that God told them to do something and then go against the Proverbs.
Ephesians 5:15-18 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the LORD's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, wherein is excess Instead, be filled with the Spirit...
Excess is foolish. The only excess that the LORD commends is giving to Him (Mary and the perfume) and being overflowing with His Spirit. We must be on our guard. We live an excessive culture where even believers load themselves with all kinds of things that wear them out and do very little to advance the kingdom.
Colossians 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
2. We have the Promise God gave us in the New Testament.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
This means several things:
*God may point us to a Proverb or portion of His Word where the particualr need for wisdom is addressed. Get into them!
*God may give us special insight for the time we are in.
*God may use a Christian brother or sister to counsel us. Many times.
We all need wisdom in these times.
We need to aspire to be like (1 Chronicles 12:32) the men from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.
We need to be people of prayer. God give me wisdom.
3. We have the Example of Solomon's Life Choices.
He began out right. v.8
Acknowledging the Past- His father, David
Realizing he had been placed in this royal position by God.
Recognizing that he needed God's help in governing.
All these things this nation of ours is failing in today.
There is no record of thanksgiving to God after the LORD tells him he will be wealthy and honored and victorious and the wisest man on earth.
The beginning of Solomon's moral failure is recorded in vs. 14-17
He went in direct opposition to something he read each day:
Deuteronomy 17.14-20
Incredible
How did this happen?
Appears to be greed /lust in his heart. Guard your hearts! Ask the LORD to search it.
He had great wisdom for others but acted foolishly himself.
Proverbs 21:3 To do what is right and justis more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
What should we do?
Study the Proverbs
Pray for wisdom each day
Know Christ Colossians 2:3 in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Walk humbly with God
Trust in Him with all your heart. do not lean on your own understanding. In all you do acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
It has amazed me how the LORD has provided so wonderfully for the work being accomplished in Haiti. Three times this week He tangibly reminded me of that. This morning there is a roof on Pastor Joes' home, doors have been hung and that family is getting closer to moving in. a little girl named Betchina has gone to school this year supported by Good Shepherd Nursery School. The retaining wall is being built for the Evangelical Church of God in that beautiful village of Bellevue. Precious folks here have signed up for the mission trips we are taking in September. They are paying their own way. God bless them!
No wonder my heart is so full this day for all these blessings God has provided!
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