American Reformation Church Prayer Journal 24
ARC Prayer Meeting
It is not many people in the world that God decides to visit in a profound personal way. King Solomon experienced that privilege twice. The first time came soon after Solomon became king. He thought he was insufficient for the task to govern Israel. In that state, the Lord appeared to him and said, “Ask! What shall I give you” (1 Kings 3:5b)? This is the only time in Scripture one can ascribe a “genie in the bottle” experience with the Almighty.
Solomon prayed, “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” (1 Kings 3:9)? Solomon desired a wise, understanding, discerning, and a properly hearing heart to judge Israel. This response pleased the Lord. In fact, He was so moved by his request; He gave Solomon what most would want, which is riches and honor (1 Kings 3:13). God granted him an understanding heart to discern justice.
Right afterward came the incident that revealed the famed wisdom of Solomon that established justice. Two women came before his throne of his judgment seat. Both had babies at the same time living in the same place. One baby died in the night by the mother lying upon the child. During the night, the mother of the dead baby switched her baby for the living baby. The mother of the living baby became aware of the deceptive maneuver and they fought over the live baby. This dispute came before Solomon. He famously asked for a sword to divide the baby. The true mother, of course, gave up her natural instinct to mother the child and was willing to give her to the mother of deceit. She just wanted him to live. Bam, truth was revealed and justice done. The fame of Solomon’s wisdom spread abroad like wildfire.
Solomon declared in the book of Proverbs, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). Wisdom was highly prized in the Old Testament, whereas, love is the greatest virtue in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 13:13). One can obtain wisdom in many ways. You can obtain it through study, seek wise counsel, observation, learn from failure, gain experience, and ask for it. James 1:5 declares, “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.”
John Wayne once quipped, “Life is hard, it is harder when you are stupid.” Trying to negotiate through life as a fool is treacherous, wrought with one painful experience after another. Developing a life of prayer that seeks God for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding is essential to an overcoming life that brings glory to God and benefits others.
American Reformation Church Website:
