Thursday, April 27, 2023

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.

13 thoughts on “Thursday, April 27, 2023

  1. We certainly need the Wisdom of Solomon in these days as well. God works with us when we walk with Him. Yesterday I noticed a person slumped on a bench in our condominium complex. I was out walking and after 1/2 hour I became concerned that the person was still in the same state. I didn’t know what to do. Should I call 911? It would be upsetting if it was unnecessary. I was really concerned though. I decided to go to the office of our large condo. As I approached the office, the door opened and a group of people came out (2 security guards at the front of the group). I related the scene & they went to assess the situation. An ambulance was called. I had, of course, been praying and the Lord took over. Praise His Name.

    • Doreen, I think you made the right decision
      by going to the office for help and praying for
      this person. God was there to take care of this
      situation, thanks to you.
      May God bless you and keep you in His Care always, Amen.

    • Amen Doreen
      I too think you did the right thing and made the right decision to ask for help that you were praying while the situation was unfolding
      May God richly bless you today amen ✝️🙏

  2. Thanks to all that are standing in prayer for the family that lost their children in the accident in NW Ontario. I do not know anyone involved in that accident, but i have experienced loss of loved ones through accidents. I can’t even imagine the grief of losing both of your children or the pain of the others involved. It sure makes one realize how in the twinkling of an eye your life can be changed.
    One must always stand in faith and be ready.

    • HJR, I absolutely agree with your comments
      about that tragic accident.
      I pray their family will find God to be a comfort
      at this sorrowful time and give them peace,
      in Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

    • Teresa I will be praying for for you and your husbands
      health.
      May the Lord give you both strength. He knows all about the situation and He will be there to help
      you through it. God Bless you both 🙏🙏🙏

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