7/15/2020 Wednesday Devotional
Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom – 1 Kings 3:4-15 (2 Chr 1:5-12)
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high. (J. Montgomery)
An important but oft overlooked fact regarding prayer is that it tacitly acknowledges all the Divine attributes. Prayer is not merely a means of eliciting God’s intervention in time of need, although it is that. The believer is encouraged “to come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Heb.4.16. Nor is it simply an expression of thanks for blessings received. These both are, of course, distinctive features of prayer but as supplicants to the throne of God we are brought in prayer to a more perfect understanding of the God to Whom we pray.
Background:
The shorter of Solomon’s two prayers as found first in 1Kgs 3.6-9 has a background which may be said to be twofold.
- Firstly, there is the political aspect – Several marriages, 1 Kings11:1-4, 11:40, 14:25
- Secondly, Solomon, with large ambition, desired to build a magnificent house for himself and one for the God of Israel.
Lessons to learn:
- Solomon as a young man “loved the LORD”, 1Kgs.3.3
- His devotion to the Lord is expressed by his “walking in the statutes of David his father” 1Kgs.3.4.
- Remembered Divine Sovereignty, in drawing near to God to worship at or petition His throne. (1 Kings 3:6).
- Realized Personal Inadequacy (1 Kings 3:7) “I am but a little child“
- Recognized Spiritual Responsibility, “discern between good and bad” 1Kgs.3.9.
- Requested Practical Ability – It is one thing to realize we need help but it is another to have the practical ability to use what help the Lord gives to us.
Explore:
– If you were given a choice like Solomon, what would you choose? A long life? Riches? Honor?
– Jesus enunciated this same principle in Mt 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”
– 1 Chro 29;12, 2 Ch 6:17; 7:12; 9:22; Ezr 6:8; 7:26; Ne 13:26; Ps 18:50; Pr 8:15–16; Ec 2:9; 5:19.