“And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but 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 many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” (1 Kings 3:6-9)
Here we are in a New Year, a time when many people make resolutions. Perhaps one resolution many people should make is to ask for wisdom from God. We need it in these days of pandemic chaos and political upheaval because human wisdom has failed to make this a better world, failed to stop violence and injustice. Many think wisdom comes with age, experience, or education, but it does not. True wisdom comes from God alone.
Solomon was already wise enough to know this. He was aware of his own sins and shortcomings as he took his place as King of Israel. He possessed worldly knowledge and training but he knew he needed the wisdom of the Lord if he was to govern His people. So he for a discerning heart so he could properly distinguish between right and wrong, between truth and error. He wanted to make decisions and laws which were righteous, just, and glorifying to the Lord.
Wisdom is the choice to follow and trust by faith in God for all things, for all answers, in all circumstances. The wisdom that this choice reflects produces the knowledge necessary for making choices that produce peace and prosperity. Thus, God granted Solomon wisdom plus riches and honor.
Today many people think they are wise but they do not know God. They have turned their backs on Him and rejected His Word, rejected His way of salvation and peace, Jesus Christ. It is no wonder that our world is in chaos. All those men and women who seem wise in the ways of the world, scientists, medical professionals, politicians, all who possess academic degrees, awards, charisma, and fame lack true wisdom if they do not have faith in Jesus, for they lack the humility to admit they need God’s help. On the other hand, even the lowliest of Christian believers is wise by faith in Jesus because they know they are sinners saved by His grace and mercy.