WISDOM
Suggested Reading: 2 Chronicles 9-10
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
In Jerusalem, attached to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, is the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Here, an Ethiopian nun does bead work to support her church.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 9:23
And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
The people of Ethiopia believe that their Queen, the Queen of Sheba, who visited Solomon, became pregnant as a result of a relationship between her and King Solomon. Menelik, their son, became their first great King, and the people converted to the religion of Judaism as a result. A New Testament reading for today may be the story of the Ethiopian who was the minister of finance for another “Queen of Sheba” whose name was Candace (Acts 8:26-40). The Ethiopian treasurer, who was Jewish, had made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, and on his way back home God miraculously brought the Deacon Philip to witness to him of Jesus. He was reading from the Prophet Isaiah as he travelled, probably Isaiah 53, and as Philip explained God’s plan of salvation, the official believed in Jesus and was baptized. As a result, the Church of Ethiopia was born. A majority of the Jewish people in that country became Christian. It is so to this day.
What a sad turn of events in the second chapter of today’s reading. There are some things one can only learn by living long enough. Solomon’s advisors were probably in their sixties and seventies. By ignoring their advice, King Rehoboam lost the ten northern tribes, and the Kingdom was divided. War between the north and the south was narrowly avoided. How sad! Our choices have consequences! Let us choose to pray fervently as David and Solomon did. There is no record of Rehoboam praying for wisdom as did his father. Instead of asking God for guidance, King Rehoboam asked his boyhood friends for counsel and followed their advice. The history of Israel is proof of the consequences of poor choices.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray for the wisdom to listen carefully to the guidance of those who pray much and who know how to hear Your answers to their prayers for wisdom. I need You every day to provide me with an understanding of Your will in all things. In Jesus’ Name I ask for Your wisdom, Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Someone has said that every movement for good or evil in the history of the world can be traced to the decision of one person. Rehoboam’s decision to listen to friends of his age rather than the elders of Israel resulted in the beginning of the disintegration of a great nation. The decisions of Philip and the Ethiopian treasurer resulted in good things.
When Crossroads ministry took on the challenge of helping the Ethiopian people during the famine of the 1980s, I had many experiences that impacted my life. One of these was standing on a street in Addis, the capital city, and hearing a young priest calling the people back to God. He said that the government had turned away from the God of their fathers to communism and atheism, and the famine was God’s judgment as a result. Whether this was true or not, God knows. However, I was tremendously impressed by the fearlessness of that young man. I do believe that God heard the prayers of the Ethiopian people, and a part of His provision was that the partners and viewers of 100 Huntley Street responded so very generously. Canada’s ambassador to Ethiopia at the time said in a speech to the Empire Club at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, “100 Huntley Street and their supporters saved the lives of at least 50,000 people from death by starvation.” On pages 77, 78 & 79 of my new book, This Far By Faith, there is an amazing Ethiopian story. I would like to see this book in the hands of as many people as possible (click here for ordering).
Yours for seeking diligently for God’s will in our decisions,
David
Beyond the courtyard of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, you can see the steeple of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
One of the doorways into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
As we have seen before and as we will see again, our actions have consequences. Oh! that we could only have the wisdom of Solomon! I pray that we too would ask for such wisdom by soaking our thoughts in the wisdom of God’s Word, by praying in accordance with the Holy Spirit, and by fervently worshiping regularly with God’s people. Lord, create in us a wisdom that we’ve never known before, that might guide our thoughts and actions solely in You. Create in us a new heart and a new mind for wisdom. May our thoughts be worthy of your righteousness that we might do what is wise in your sight. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you might prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Amen, Scott, amen!
Thank you Scott for your prayer. May we all choose to seek the wisdom of Our Lord each day, to walk in His statutes and the path He has laid out for us.
Amen! Scott. 🙂
Praise God, David! Your book is wonderful and the word is spreading about it, indeed.
I love the last photo of the doorway into the Ethiopian Orthodox Church–a new painting, most definitely!
By His wounds, we are healed. Thank you, Jesus, for being our Saviour! We are nothing without You; we are everything with You!
“Apart from Christ, history is without final meaning, for real history is the history of redemption. History is His story.” J. Oswald Sanders
Beverlee Kay not sure where that door led… it was a part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church courtyard but not to the church.
An amazing story today of how people can rapidly change the turn of events, Queen Sheeba and the nation of Ethiopia and King Rehoboam’s quest for power and dominance. What you say about tracing good or evil movements to the decision of one person, rings so true. Even in smaller ways, it is enough to consider the effect we have on those around us day by day and conversly, the effect others can have on ourselves. This really stresses the importance of honing in on our Lord in prayer for guidance. Great pictures today, as always Reyold! Have a great day to all!
I wish I could afford a copy of your book David but at this time I cannot. Continuous prayers for me finding a job would be very helpful to me at this time. I thank you for your prayers in advance. I will pray for you and your family as well. Take care. Vicky
Lord would you help Vicky find a job and while seeking give her peace and provide her needs.
Vicky: I am sure if you call the prayer lines and explain your situation, that they would send you a copy of the book.
Lord, I pray for Vicky right now that you would open a door for employment for her. You know her circumstance and you said in Your Word, ” My God shall supply all your needs according to His Riches in Christ Jesus”. Lead her and guide her to the place to go and we will give You all the Praise & Glory. In Jesus Name I pray, AMEN & AMEN
Today’s reading reminds us to seek The Lord and His wisdom. So many times we hear of someone getting so caught up in their own importance that they forget God is the source of all things. I pray we will all start our day with The Lord and seek His will for us.
Continuing in prayer for those with health issues. Anyone have any updates? Beverlee how is Heather doing?
I have just finished reading your book David and it was fantastic. The story about the Ethiopian is miraculous. Nothing is coincidence but God incidences!!! You must write a sequel to this. Now I am going to give it to my husband to read.
Have a great day everyone!!
To God be all honor and praise,thank you fellow-bloggers for your comments prayers Catherine I saw my father-in-law yesterday and he’s has lost a lot of weight. He is very tired, frail and discouraged.I am praying that he come to know the Lord.The radiation he is receiving will enable doctors to put a stint in his throat so he can eat solid food. Right now he is surviving on Boost. thank you for your prayers. Vicky I will be praying for your job situation. God bless each one today!!!!!
Thank you for the update Colleen and I pray The Holy Spirit will speak to Frank and draw him to Jesus.
Dear David M. and precious fellow bloggers
How captivating and uplifting This far by Faith is . I will be strongly recommending this to others .
Adding my prayers for you Vicky in getting a job and strongly suggest that you call crossroads prayer line to pray with you 1-866-273-4444.
Keeping everyone with health issues in prayers .
Enjoying immensely the daily intreviews of you David M . heroes of Canada Heart and Soul. You are showing us clearly by every example what can be accomplished if we seek Him in every decision not our will but His in Jesus name Amen.
Have a blessed day everyone
xxxx Carole
What a great read! I just discovered this site and find it enjoyable and uplifting. Thank you David!
Your book arrived today, David. Can’t wait to read it. Just been looking at the pictures so far. Thanks for your commitment to this blog which is appreciated by many including my husband and I. Many are being Blessed! Thanks again to you and your sons.
M:-)