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Jun 13, 2023 06:00am

Wisdom Matters

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(The following is a family devotional guide with suggested questions and scriptures.)

Talk Time

If you were to ask God for anything, what would it be?

I bet many of us could come up with at least a handful of things that we would love to have: a better job, a better car, a better home, more money, more vacations, and so forth. It is easy to think, “If I just had _____, life would be great!” While God surely loves us and wants to bless us, He often looks beyond our requests and examines one thing: our hearts.

Bible Connection

God showed us the type of heart heart He is looking for when Solomon, David’s son, took over as king. You see, David was known for being a man after God’s own heart. Before he died, he gave his son some advice about how to live life as the future king of Israel.

Read 1 Chronicles 28:9-10 and look for his advice.

David gave his son advice that he himself had lived out in his life: “know God. Serve Him with your whole heart – a willing heart. If you seek Him, you will find Him.” You see, David knew that if Solomon followed this advice, God would be with Solomon during his kingship. And before David died, he also prayed a special prayer for his son: “Give my son Solomon an undivided heart to keep and to carry out all of your commands…” (1 Chronicles 29:19). Oh, friends, it’s all about the heart with God – it’s the heart of the matter!

When Solomon took over as king, God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Ask. What should I give to you?” (1 Kings 3:5). Now, as a king, it would be easy for Solomon to say, “I want peace from my enemies!” or “I want to more famous than my father!” or even “I want to acquire more wealth!”…and yet, he doesn’t. He asks for something his own father prayed for.

Read 1 Kings 3:6-9 to see what he requested.

I wonder…would you be willing to forgo all the materialistic things in life to ask for a wise heart?

King Solomon knew he was young and inexperienced as a king, so he asked for something that would help him lead his people well: wisdom. You see, God is the giver of wisdom. The more we know God, the more we lean upon Him with our decisions and daily living. The more we surrender our hearts, the more we trust His lead in our lives. Wisdom comes from God and God alone. So, when Solomon requested wisdom to rule his people, God was pleased! This showed that Solomon loved the Lord (1 Kings 3:3) and respected Him, so God blessed Solomon with more than what he asked for: riches, honor, and a long life (1 Kings 3:10-15).

More than anything, God shows us His heart in this account with Solomon. He answers our prayers with “yeses” when our hearts and our desires are aligned with His desires. He also shows us that we don’t have to be perfect and have our lives all put together for God to speak to us. You see, Solomon wasn’t perfect – in fact, at this point in our story, he was already falling into sin by marrying pagan women. God showed Solomon that he doesn’t need anyone or anything else as king – he just needs God. Only God could help him lead his nation well, and only God could satisfy every longing in Solomon’s heart.

Right after God blessed Solomon with wisdom and discernment, He gave him a test. Read about it in 1 Kings 3:16-27. All of Israel heard about this story and stood in awe of Solomon’s wisdom!

Faith Connection

What are some things that you ask God for in your prayers?

Think about adding “a wise heart” or “an undivided heart” to your list! Not only can God help you become wiser in life and in making decisions, but having an undivided heart can help guard you from putting your faith and confidence into other people and things. It can help you follow God…even when it’s hard!