TRUE WISDOM
I Kings 2:12, 3:5, 9-12
"Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established .... At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, 'Ask! What shall I give you?' .... [Solomon answered,] "Give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil.' .... The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him. 'Because you have asked for this thing [wisdom] ... behold I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart.' "
Solomon was known far and wide for his wisdom. Even Jesus affirmed Solomon's wisdom (Matthew 12:42, Luke 11:31). His wise sayings are recorded in the book of Proverbs. But Solomon also wrote Ecclesiastes, which is a record of his sojourn into humanism – emptiness, emptiness, all is emptiness! So something went wrong, and his personal life did not exemplify wisdom. Wisdom is more than having knowledge of what is right. It is also living according to what is right, and that is a matter of choice. Solomon did not choose to live according to wisdom. He loved and married foreign wives who turned his heart after other gods, "and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God" (I Kings 11:1-8). Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it (Luke 11:28). It is not enough to know what is right; knowledge has to be demonstrated by doing. True wisdom is doing what I know is right. It is a matter of choice.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Wisdom is useless unless it results in wise living.
[end]
Have a wise day. Love you.
I Kings 2:12, 3:5, 9-12
"Then Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly established .... At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, 'Ask! What shall I give you?' .... [Solomon answered,] "Give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil.' .... The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him. 'Because you have asked for this thing [wisdom] ... behold I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart.' "
Solomon was known far and wide for his wisdom. Even Jesus affirmed Solomon's wisdom (Matthew 12:42, Luke 11:31). His wise sayings are recorded in the book of Proverbs. But Solomon also wrote Ecclesiastes, which is a record of his sojourn into humanism – emptiness, emptiness, all is emptiness! So something went wrong, and his personal life did not exemplify wisdom. Wisdom is more than having knowledge of what is right. It is also living according to what is right, and that is a matter of choice. Solomon did not choose to live according to wisdom. He loved and married foreign wives who turned his heart after other gods, "and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God" (I Kings 11:1-8). Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it (Luke 11:28). It is not enough to know what is right; knowledge has to be demonstrated by doing. True wisdom is doing what I know is right. It is a matter of choice.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Wisdom is useless unless it results in wise living.
[end]
Have a wise day. Love you.
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