Saturday, April 27, 2019

WISDOM

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 3-4

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Zedekiah’s Cave, also known as King Solomon’s Quarries, is a 5-acre underground limestone quarry that runs the length of five city blocks under the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. It was carved over a period of several thousand years and is a remnant of the largest quarry in Jerusalem. Seen in this photo is the largest room in the quarry. The stones for Solomon’s Temple may have been hewn and taken from this quarry around 970 BC (1 Kings 6:1, 5:15-18).

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 3:9

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?

Solomon had a great start to his reign, but he did not finish well. We’ll cover his failures in a later reading, but for now, there are good choices to consider. One of the most important requests that anyone could make of God was made by Solomon. God offered him anything he desired. He could have chosen wealth, fame, or long life, but instead he asked for that which would be best for others. He asked for wisdom. Solomon’s deep love for God is evident. He deeply appreciated the fact that his father, David, for most of his life, had served the Lord God faithfully. We need to check up on our lives, asking ourselves, “How would we respond given a similar opportunity by God?” Because Solomon asked selflessly, God was not only pleased to fulfill his request but also to give him the other blessings he had not requested.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Dear Lord God, because of Your love for me, You have offered me, in the promises I find everywhere in the Bible, many blessings. Grant me a selfless attitude, an outlook on life that is “others” centred. May I focus on Your will and not mine. I pray these mercies in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I would like to simply rejoice with Solomon, but I know what is coming later in his life. It could have been so different if he had made the right choices consistently. The previous book in our readings was the Apostle Paul’s letter to the people of Galatia. I’m reminded of a very sad comment Paul made about those people. Paul wrote, “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7). God has blessed me greatly with His Salvation in Jesus Christ, with a wonderful family, and with many ministry opportunities. I must be so very careful to make wise decisions in my old age. It would be so easy to sit on the couch watching TV (other than 100 Huntley Street, the news and some other wholesome programs) and be inundated by the world, the flesh, and the devil. Oh, it wouldn’t be deliberate on my part, but ever so gradually, spiritual strength would drain away, leaving me weak and almost helpless in the face of life’s challenges. I am more determined than ever to make the right choices, to pray fervently each day, to read God’s Word each day, and to share Jesus, as the opportunity arises. By having a Christian will, my wife and I do not intend to leave anything to the government. Yes, we are remembering our children, but God’s work is a priority. We want those causes that God has called us to support to continue to prosper. It would be fine if my epitaph read, “He ran well, and he kept on running well!”

Yours for doing well and finishing well,

David

P.S. May I suggest an extra reading of one of Solomon’s wise writings: Proverbs 3.

Walking into the depths of King Solomon’s Quarries.

Here is an entrance to the quarry. It is cut into the bedrock below the city walls of Jerusalem.

14 thoughts on “Saturday, April 27, 2019

  1. Amazing photos and wise words from David: “I am more determined than ever to make the right choices, to pray fervently each day, to read God’s Word each day, and to share Jesus, as the opportunity arises.” We saints follow suit, for there is nothing better than to be sure of God’s goodness and grace. Blessings to all on this day.

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    And lean not on your own understanding;
    In all your ways acknowledge Him,
    And He shall direct your paths.
    Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

    Maranatha Singers: In Moments Like These
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wm57-iSYyk

  2. We know that with wisdom comes trust and then respect.Solomon’s life shows this.I put these words on my FB page in support of Israel because nobody points it out:

    ”’ The borders of Israel before they were forced from the land given to them by God:
    “…21 And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River ((Iraq)) to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon’s subjects all his life.” 1 Kings 3-4 New International Version (NIV)
    Tell me,who are the ‘occupiers’??Much of Israel is still occupied by invaders since biblical times. ”’
    I have to leave now.Yall have a great day,spring is here.God bless

  3. Beautiful song just what I needed this morning Beverlee.
    I keep asking the Lord for wiisdom in my life. Sometimes I feel inadequate but He lifts me up beyond my circumstances .
    I also enjoyed David’s word and said his prayer.
    The wind is very strong today, at least we don’t have flloodng like those dear people in Muskoka, Quebec and New Brunswick. Hoping and praying that Ger and others are safe in their areas. Blessings to all, Eleanor M

    • Amen, sister Eleanor to wisdom calling. We have had blowing light snow here, all day, in the County. Nothing that stays on the ground, but cold winds are back. Never have I remembered snow the end of April, but others here say it has hit us in May.

  4. Greetings all dear saints this snowy morning in Alberta. IMHO, it doesn’t matter what age we are, there’s always a time to ask God for wisdom. A friend sent this email to me this a.m. and it seemed soooo true:

    To realize
    The value of a sister/brother
    Ask someone
    Who doesn’t have one.

    To realize
    The value of ten years:
    Ask a newly
    Divorced couple.

    To realize
    The value of four years:
    Ask a graduate.

    To realize
    The value of one year:
    Ask a student who
    Has failed a final exam.

    To realize
    The value of nine months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

    To realize
    The value of one month:
    Ask a mother
    Who has given birth to
    A premature baby.

    To realize
    The value of one week:
    Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

    To realize
    The value of one minute:
    Ask a person
    Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

    To realize
    The value of one second:
    Ask a person
    Who has survived an accident.

    Time waits for no one.

    Treasure every moment you have.
    You will treasure it even more when
    You can share it with someone special.

    To realize the value of a friend or family member:
    LOSE ONE

  5. Each and everyone of you that has commented this morning, I want you to know how much you have touched. Lynda, I had tears in my eyes reading the email you shared. I know people who have experienced some of those.

    I don’t always comment but appreciate reading yours.

    • So true, Nan–brought tears to my eyes, as well. Thank you for sharing, Lynda, and God’s blessings on you both, and your friend, who sent the poem.

  6. once again I thank the Lord for all who have posted, so helpful to me;
    needing URGENT prayer,in need of a financial breakthrough, trying not to loose hope!
    praying for the right person to continue to be a Pastor at church; present Pastor is retiring; THANK THE LORD FOR HIS HEALING HANDS ON PASTOR’S WIFE, COMPLETELY AFTER YEARS AND YEARS OF A BUG IN THE STOMACH;believed to come from well water;she is not healed PRAISE AND THANK THE LORD,
    praying the Holy Spirit will enter the hearts of our leaders; help them to make good decisions; rebuke all the evil, Praise and Thank the Lord for all of His goodness;we plead the Blood of the Lamb over our families;our communities;w Thank the Lord for all His blessings on us this day in Jesus Name we Pray amen

  7. Solomon’s selfless request, pleased the Lord; and blessed him with wealth, health an respect!!

    Thank you for this blog; David’s comments and fabulous photos!

  8. Amen and thank you for all the postings. Very meaningful. God bless you. The flooding doesn’t affect me but some of my family Eleanor M.

  9. So happy to be able to share God’s blessings of words with all bloggers. Thank you for your kind comments. I pray for everyone’s requests and enjoy the fellowship even if it’s just online. The church I attend occasionally is losing its pastor so asking that a prayer be sent up to our heavenly Father for a devoted, spirit-filled leader to replace the dear soul who has been leading his fellow believers so faithfully these past years.
    May God bless all saints today and always.

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