Weekly Devotional
Wisdom Series: The Path to the Great Wisdom of God (Volume I Devotional #015)
“He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.”
Proverbs 18.13
The painting above by Raphael entitled, The Judgment of Solomon, is a depiction of the events in Israel’s history recorded in the book of First Kings chapter three, versus sixteen through twenty-eight. This historical event of humanity is a true demonstration of the willingness of God the Holy Ghost to use anyone who seeks His wisdom to lead His people to administer thoughtful, patient, and merciful justice. Consider for a moment, if you will, the first time you read that story. Think of that moment when you first read the words, “Then the king said, ‘Bring me a sword…’ ‘Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.’”1 Consider that moment—how shocked you were. That moment, when you thought—truly, this cannot be!
Now, my beloved reader, if you will, consider that moment the first time you read those words, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.”2 I will never forget the first time I read this story in the Bible as a new believer. I was shocked by the complete and utter logic of the administration of justice in this situation. The entirety of the decision made by King Solomon had within it all of the qualities of the fruit of the Holy Ghost. There was love in his decision; joy was demonstrated by the true mother; peace was provided to all those who witnessed this tragic event; patience was demonstrated by the King; kindness was provided to both women; goodness came from the King’s judgment for everyone in the society; faithfulness to God was demonstrated by King Solomon in his prayer before this situation was presented to him by these two mothers, by asking the Lord, when He appeared to King Solomon in his “dream by night”3 for “an understanding heart to judge [His people], that [he] may [be able] discern between good and evil [in his judgments];”4 gentleness was demonstrated by the King for reuniting the mother and child back together again; and finally, meekness (great strength under perfect control) was certainly demonstrated in light of the tragedy of the event and the difficulty of such a judgment to be made. This true Biblical account of history ranks, in my opinion, as one of the greatest in human history and certainly one of the best stories in the Bible as a whole.
As we embark upon the new week, my beloved readers, consider the wisdom of Solomon and Whose wisdom it really was. The Apostle James, the Lord’s half-brother, writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”5 The most beautiful aspect of the words the Apostle James writes, and are very easily overlooked, are the words, “who gives to all”. Interesting? Of course, I am certain it could be argued that the word “all”6 the Apostle James is referring to is only to the brethren to whom he is writing, but to stay true to the character and nature of God, I believe the invitation to pray to God for wisdom is certainly a prayer that any man can make. The Lord Himself has stated, “Seek, and you will find….For…he who seeks finds.”7 There is certainly nothing wrong, no matter who you are, asking the God to Whom King Solomon spoke to for wisdom to make good and wise judgments; perhaps, that will be the prayer that will place anyone on the path of learning of the great Wisdom of God.
Prayer: Gracious Heavenly Father, we praise You for the greatness of Your mercy and kindness. We thank You for the true Wisdom that is from above, Your Son Jesus Christ, Who is the Wisdom of God. We give thanks for Your Holy Ghost Who gives us all that we need for our revelation of You, Father, through the truth of Your Word. We love You, Lord, and ask for wisdom in our lives; so that, we may truly understand how to display the fruit of the Holy Ghost. We ask all of this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
This week’s memory verse from the Weekly Devotional is Psalm 8.2:
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and avenger (New King James Version).
I Kings 3.24-25, NKJV.
I Kings 3.27, NKJV.
I Kings 3.5, NKJV.
I Kings 3.9, NKJV.
James 1.5, NKJV.
James 1.5c, NKJV
Read: Matthew 7.7-12
Thank you Pastor Ron for this rich and thoughtful devotional that beautifully reminds us how true wisdom comes only from God and not from human reasoning.The account of Solomon’s judgment clearly shows that godly wisdom is marked by patience mercy discernment and reverence for life just as Scripture says The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10).Solomon did not act hastily but relied on the wisdom God had given him and the result brought truth justice and peace to all who witnessed it fulfilling Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.This devotional also rightly points us to James’s encouragement that wisdom is available to all who ask in faith James 1:5 reminds us If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him.What a comforting truth that God is willing to guide any heart that humbly seeks Him.Jesus Himself affirmed this promise when He said Ask and it will be given to you seek and you will find knock and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).May this reflection challenge us to slow down listen fully seek God earnestly and walk in the fruit of the Spirit as we face difficult decisions remembering that wisdom from above is first pure then peaceable gentle willing to yield full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:17).May the Lord grant us such wisdom daily so that our lives bring glory to Him and blessing to others.