Tag: 1 Corinthians 1:30
Know What to Ask God For
Scripture reading for August 6: 2 Chronicles 1:9-11 “O Lord God, let Your Word to David my father be now fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of Yours, which is so great?” God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for a long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”
God appeared to Solomon right after he was installed as king of Israel in place of his father David. He told him to ask Him for whatever he wanted the Lord to give him. Solomon could have asked for many physical things that would have given him pleasure and peace or a long life, but instead he asked God for wisdom and knowledge that would empower him to govern God’s numerous and great people. This prayer of faith pleased the Lord and He granted Solomon his request. In Solomon’s seeking God’s wisdom and will, God also added to him riches, honor and possessions. When we please the Lord and seek His kingdom and righteousness, everything we have need of and more will be added! (Matthew 6:33)
This passage also reminds us of a New Testament passage written by James, a half-brother of Jesus. James states “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, Who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5) As we are dealing with healing, often our greatest need is wisdom and knowledge of how to proceed and our part in walking with faith and patience. Jesus Christ is our greatest source of wisdom from God as well as our righteousness and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30) Even when we don’t know how to pray, the Father’s Gift, the Holy Spirit Who lives in us can help us to pray. We build up our faith by praying in the Holy Spirit! (Jude 20) Let’s learn to ask for what pleases God.
Beware of seduction!
Scripture reading for July 4th: Proverbs 5-9
“My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and her speech is smoother than oil. But in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.” (Proverbs 5:1-5)
Solomon’s warning to his sons stands as a warning to men of all ages and times. Many have heard these words and read them, but did not heed the warning and experienced the promised results. Headlines blare every day about another famous person, politician, minister, or actor who has committed adultery. It is almost a badge of honor to those who are caught up in the world system! God calls it “sin” and it was punishable by stoning to death in the Old Testament! Adultery leads to shame, disgrace, and ultimately death. This sin is also a form of idolatry that breaks our relationship with God!
Satan has used women and sexual desires to cause the ruin and death of many throughout history. Solomon’s own father, David, succumbed to the temptation of adultery and his sin has been read about for over 3000 years! Solomon, himself, had over 1000 women in his harem. These wives were his downfall, because many worshiped idols and they brought idolatry into Solomon’s life! Sexual promiscuity is itself related to idolatry. We are setting up our desires as superior to the Word of God and creating an idol out of our own appetite!
Many times, men recklessly believe that they will not be seen or caught in their adulterous forays. Even if the affair is secret to all others, God sees everything ! (Proverbs 5:21) God promises us that the cords of our sin will hold us fast and we will die for our lack of discipline! (Proverbs 5:22-23) Often men blame the women for enticing them or they may blame their own wife for a lack of sex or affection. The truth of the matter is God sees it as their own folly that is at fault!
The Bible is very clear on the consequences of adultery. Death and the grave are both mentioned more than once as a consequence of going in with an adulteress. (Proverbs 5:5) (Proverbs 7:27) Regret, oppression, depression and misery are also mentioned as following the adulteress. (Proverbs 5:9-14; Proverbs 6:33) Possible retaliation by the husband of the adulteress could cost your life and peace! (Proverbs 6:34-35) The verse that talks about taking fire into his lap may be referring to sexually transmitted diseases. (Proverbs 6:27)
Are you involved in the seductive sin of adultery? Are your own desires and appetites an idol that you worship? Please listen to our Lord. Jesus Christ has been made to us our Wisdom! (1st Corinthians 1:30)
“The half has not been told!”
Scripture reading for April 23: 2 Chronicles 6-9
Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived other than Jesus Christ. Solomon got his wisdom by asking for it! (James 1:5) God appeared to him early in his rule and asked him what he needed. Solomon asked for wisdom to rule God’s people and knowledge. (2 Chronicles 1:7-10) God granted him his request and gave him fame and fortune as well. Solomon became well-known for his wisdom and for the wealth that God had lavished on him.
The Queen of Sheba was a foreign dignitary of Solomon’s time who had heard reports of Solomon’s wisdom and wealth. She traveled great distance to see for herself. Her recorded remark was “not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me”. (2 Chronicles 9:6) Even though a pagan, she praised Solomon’s God for delighting in him and placing him on the throne. She noted that the Lord loved His people and appointed Solomon as king to uphold them and rule them for God! She had great understanding herself as she stood in Solomon’s presence. It appears that this wisdom rubs off! The Queen of Sheba also lavished gifts of gold and spices on Solomon. She gave him over 25 tons of gold by our measure! A king who is full of wisdom deserves great honor and recognition!
Solomon has a distant grandson, Jesus Christ, who was also filled with wisdom from God. Luke records that He grew in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. (Luke 2:51) Paul records that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3) This same Jesus has been made unto us wisdom from God. (1st Corinthians 1:30) If we need wisdom, we can simply ask God and He will give us liberally! (James 1:5) We have record of Jesus’ unequaled wisdom, yet the half has not been told!
As the Queen of Sheba gave lavish gifts to Solomon, so we are to honor Jesus Christ and give our tithes and lives to Him Who is worthy! We are to tell of the riches of His glorious Kingdom and publish His fame and wisdom for all who will listen! We bring Him the precious “gold” of our faith and the “spices” of prayer and worship. All nations will worship Him of Whom “the half has not been told”!
Asking for wisdom!
Scripture Reading for April 2: 1st Kings1-4
1 Kings 3:3 “Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father, only he sacrificed and made offerings at the high places.” . . vs. 5-6 “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” 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.” . .vs 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?”
Newly crowned King Solomon had an encounter with the Lord. He had gone to Gibeon to sacrifice to the Lord and that day offered a thousand burnt offerings! Extravagant worship marked the life of this newly anointed king! That night as Solomon lay asleep, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1st Kings 3:4-5) Solomon first thanked the Lord for his kindness to his father David in placing him on the throne. Then he confessed his need for God’s help in ruling His people, asking for a discerning heart and wisdom to rule wisely. (1st Kings 3:7-9)
This pleased the Lord! Solomon was granted what he asked for and also given by grace what he did not ask for! God gave him riches and honor so that there would be no equal among kings of that time. (1st Kings 3:10-14) Jesus Christ has been made to us wisdom from God! (1st Corinthians 1:30) We are told that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God for it and He will give us liberally! James 1:5-7) Praise the Lord!
In considering Solomon’s walk with the Lord, how would God say that you felt toward Him? How might God describe your walk with Him? How are you at asking God for what you want or need?