SEEK THE LORD FOR WISDOM AND SUCCESS
Many People spend their lives seeking wisdom and success in this world. King Solomon was “richer and wiser than any other king in the world” (2 Chronicles 9:22). He said, true wisdom and real success begins with reverence of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10; Prov. 3:5-6). The Bible says, “ every good and perfect gift” come from the Lord above, who made everything (James 1:17; Colossians 1:16).
SOLOMON SOUGHT THE LORD
Solomon, King David’s son, was only a boy when he succeeded his father to the throne of Israel. He showed his trust and reliance upon the Lord, when he prayed to God:
O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of
my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know
how to carry out my duties… So, give your servant a discerning
heart to govern your people and to distinguish between
right and wrong (1 Kings 3:7, 9).
GOD GAVE SOLOMON UNSURPASSED WISDOM. Because Solomon’s request pleased God, He gave him surpassing discernment and wisdom (1 Kings 3: 10-13). An example of Solomon’s God-given wisdom is seen in his judging between two women, each claiming one baby was her own. Both women had given birth while sleeping in the same room: one rolled over and killed her baby. When awakened the next morning the real mother knew her baby had been stolen by the other woman. She took her case before King Solomon.
Solomon ordered the live baby to be cut in half and divided among the two women. One woman said give the other woman the living child. Solomon ordered that the living child be given to the woman who wanted it to live. All the people stood in awe of the king because they saw that God’s wisdom was in him to carry out justice (1 King 3:28).
THE LORD ALSO GAVE SOLOMON UNEQUALLED RICHES. Because Solomon’s request for wisdom to lead God’s people pleased Him, God also gave Solomon great wealth, which he did not ask for (1 Kings 3: 10-13).
“King Solomon was greater in wisdom and riches than all the other kings of the earth. Royalties from the whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift – articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules” (1 Kings 10:23-25).
For all his great wisdom and riches, Solomon learned: “All is vanity and vexation of spirit” Ecclesiastes 1:14). He exclaimed, what does a person gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?–The wise and the rich die like the fool and the poor. (Ecclesiastes 1-2)
Solomon writes in his book of wisdom “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Think about him in all your ways, and he will guide you on the right paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The Lord said: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). For “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” (Matthew 8:36).
JESUS MAKES US WHO REVERENCE HIM GREATER THAN SOLOMON
The Lord Jesus Christ said, even the least of us who reverence him as Savior and Lord, by repenting and believing in him, being born again of the Holy Spirit, are greater than past great people like Solomon– and even greater than John who baptized the Lord (Matthew 11:11):
- Because of our receiving the atoning blood of Christ, God has adopted us as “Children of God” (John 1:12). And Christ has “made us kings and priests to our God” in the spiritual kingdom of God (Revelation 5:10).
- God has given us the Holy Spirit to guides us with his wisdom and power (John 14:23-26).
- He enlightens us to “ seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” and all other things, including the desires of our heart, will be given to us as well. (Matthew 6:33; Psalm 37:4).
- He causes all things to work together for the good of us who love the Lord, as he conforms us to the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
The Lord is preparing a place for whoever loves him to live with God in heaven forever (John 14:3). And he has “a crown of righteousness” for all who love him and look for his reappearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
Pic-praying at cross/Solomon Prays/Judges/Crown of Righteousness
