Word of Encouragement (03/07/2024)
And Solomon said, "You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, 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 this day. 7 And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?" (1 Kings 3:6-9)
In v. 8, Solomon concludes the reason for the request he is about to make: while he is “but a little child,” not knowing “how to go out and come in,” he has been called to rule God’s people. So, what does he ask for? “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”
In this request, we already see Solomon’s wisdom. First, he addresses himself as God’s servant. Even though he occupied the highest office in the land, he did not forget that the true King of Israel was the LORD; he was but a servant to Him. One of the important elements of wisdom is to “know our place.” This is important socially. But it is even more important theologically. No matter what our station in life may be, we must not forget “our place” in the presence of God. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Just because we are esteemed by people doesn’t mean that we are highly regarded by God. In the same way, just because we are scorned by people doesn’t mean that we are despised by God. But it is always true that we are but creatures, mere dust without God’s help and blessings. When we humble ourselves before God even at the height of our success, we are wise. We are foolish if we allow our success to go to our heads.
Notice also what Solomon asks for. He asks for “an understanding mind to govern your people”: he asks for what he needs the most to carry out his calling. This shows that he was not simply giving lip service when he addressed himself as God’s servant. It was at the center of his sense of identity. We know that what comes out of our mouths is what fills our minds. Solomon probably did not expect God to appear to him and grant him a wish. Yet, he did not have to consider it too long: his answer shows what preoccupied his mind at that time.
What is at the core of your self-identity? Please take some time to reflect on it. And then, question whether it is a true answer or just the right answer. Will it have anything to do with your request if God were to grant you one wish? We are what we desire. If there is a gap between the right answer and your true answer, I hope that you would earnestly desire the right answer to be your true answer and ask the Lord to change your heart.