CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL April 4, 2022. (SEEK WISDOM)
TOPIC: SEEK WISDOM
Read 1 Kings 3:1-15
1 Now Solomon made a treaty with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and married Pharaoh’s daughter; then he brought her to the City of David until he had finished building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall all around Jerusalem.
2 Meanwhile the people sacrificed at the high places, because there was no house built for the name of the LORD until those days.
3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.
4 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.
5 At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”
6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
7 Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am 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 numerous to be numbered or counted.
9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” 10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,
12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.
13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.
14 So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
15 Then Solomon awoke; and indeed it had been a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, offered up burnt offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
MEMORISE: How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver (Proverbs 16:16).
EXPOSITION
The world is dynamic. To be relevant in it, you mustn’t be stagnant. There have been serious improvements on the tools used in different professions. There were times when 1000 men need to work on the farm before large productions can be made. Today, just 10 human endeavours, including mining, as today commemorates International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance In Mine Action. All of these are products of advancement in knowledge. Anyone who does not move along as the world moves, such fellow may become irrelevant. The question is, ‘Are you relevant in your respective duty post?’
Solomon became a king by royal heritage. You too may be qualified for that position. You are due for promotion in your respective duty post, your business is moving and getting enlarged everyday. All of these are good news. The challenge here is, that next level you aspire to, can you manage it? Solomon was qualified but he knew in himself that he would find it difficult to manage the people well, hence his prayer for God’s wisdom. It is never a crime to have reasonable ambition, but it will be a criminal act, if you get there and you destroy the good records someone else had built before your arrival.
The fact is, there is no better time you need wisdom than now (Prov. 4:7). Nothing can one do right maritally, spiritually, physically, professionally and academically, without wisdom and excellence. This is the same excellent spirit Daniel possessed and that made him outstanding in his time.
The spirit of wisdom, which qualifies and positions one for excellence and success, is the Spirit of Christ, the wisdom of God. By Him, kings rule, judges give right judgement, etc. Only He can qualify you for the next level, and brings relevance to your life.
To get wisdom, if it means going for further studies that will boost your credentials, please do. If you need to unlearn some things to learn the right skills, please go ahead. Don’t rest on your oars. The world is advancing everyday. Update yourself regularly and relevantly.
PRAYER POINTS
1. I receive grace to do the right thing at the right time in all areas of my life, in Jesus’ name.
2. My heavenly father, take me to higher height and make me capable in Jesus’ name.
3. O Lord, make me relevant in all my doings, in Jesus’ mighty name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
1 Samuel 31; 2 Samuel 1 – 2
Author: C.A.C WORLDWIDE
Remain blessed!