May 21
1 Kings 3:16-28; 5:1-18; 2 Chronicles 2:1-18; 1 Kings 6:1-13; 2 Chronicles 3:1-14; 1 Kings 6:14-38
What our world needs is wisdom, not more "so-called" knowledge. People celebrate advanced degrees, as though that is the mark of wisdom, but it is not. People seek titles as though that confers wisdom, but it doesn't. People spend countless hours on social media and various search engines so that they can regurgitate that which they seek and put it forth to others as if their own thoughts. This also has nothing to do with wisdom. Wisdom comes from God and is conferred by Him. It is not a matter of education, but a matter of submission. It is the practice of coming before God in humility, realizing one's own unworthiness. This is what we should all seek. This is what is sorely lacking in our world today.
We read Solomon's desire in 1 Kings 3:5-9, "At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” 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. 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. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 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?” We read the conclusion of this request in 3:28, "And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.
As the church was growing, and they sought out additional leaders, notice Stephen's qualifications in Acts 6:3-5, "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;... And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit,". We read further about Stephen as he is confronted in 6:8-10, "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people...And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke." Though Solomon had pedigree, Stephen did not. What they had in common was a genuine desire to serve the Lord, to seek out the Lord's wisdom, and a humble spirit that rightly saw themselves. These qualifications can extend to any of us, if we come to Him, truly come to Him, and seek Him. There is nothing wrong with education, but we should seek more that which is greater, the counsel of God.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: