To Encourage You

1 Kings 3:9-14 “’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?’  It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.  And God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.  I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.  And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.’”

What wonderful insight into the things that both please God and are best for man is provided to us in the words above from 1 Kings 3.  God had just told Solomon that he could ask Him for anything.  Solomon answered with a request for an understanding mind.  We are told that this pleased the Lord, and then we are told of three things that Solomon could have asked for but didn’t.  They are three things that the majority want most in life. So what are they?

First, a long life. Who doesn’t want this?  Don’t most of us want to live as long as we possibly can?  Don’t we want good health, strong bodies, and the ability to enjoy a long and full life?  Don’t most of us push the thought of death as far out of the front of our minds as we can although we know in the back of our minds that it is inevitable? 

And then the second: riches.  Again, who doesn’t want this?  No matter what amount of money or how many worldly possessions we currently have, don’t we think it would be better to have just a little more?  Advertisers are masters at playing on our discontent by telling us we should have better and more of whatever it is they’re selling, and who of us can claim to be free of their influence? How many are playing the lottery, willing to give their money away, incentivized by nothing more than the long odds that they might become rich.

And the third and final thing?  The life of our enemies.  And while we might not think in such stark terms, don’t we want freedom from the hassle of those who might disturb our peace, whether it be a difficult neighbor, an unreasonable boss, or a terrorist from the other side of the world who is determined to make us a victim of their hatred.  People everywhere just want to have peace. It’s one of the longings of the human heart, but one that is constantly frustrated from every side.

So, why not seek these things above all else? Why does the God of heaven see them as misplaced desires far below the value of a wise and discerning mind?  Well, the answer to this is truly wonderful. You see, when one truly seeks God’s wisdom, they will seek the source of all wisdom, the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ.  In Matthew 12 we have the account of Jesus’ rebuke of the unbelieving Pharisees as he draws from the example of Solomon (whom they held in high esteem).  It was after God had blessed Solomon with wisdom that Solomon’s kingdom became very great. It was a marvel of the world at that time.  We are told of how the Queen of Sheba traveled many miles to see this kingdom for herself, and when she saw it, she said this: “The report was true that I heard in my own land of your words and of your wisdom, but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, half the greatness of your wisdom was not told me; you surpass the report that I heard. Happy are your wives! Happy are these your servants, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!  Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the Lord your God” (2 Chronicles 9:5-8).  Jesus said this to the Pharisees about this account: “The queen of the South (i.e., the Queen of Sheba) will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42). Of course, Jesus was talking about Himself.

So what does anyone receive when they seek such wisdom and turn in faith to Jesus with their life? Even greater things than God gave Solomon in response to his request.  You see, God provided Solomon, along with wisdom, riches, honor, long life, and peace.  But all of those things were temporary.  All of these things went to Solomon’s grave with him, just like all such things will pass away when any of us come to the end of our life. But for the believer, every single one, these things are provided by God for all eternity.  What could be better than that?  Jesus put it this way as He called His disciples to count the cost of following Him: “EVERYONE who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29). You see, every single believer is an heir of God and a fellow heir with Christ (Romans 8:17). It is the “meek (that) shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” (Psalm 37:11).  And as Jesus said, “For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away” (Matthew 13:12).  And who is it that “has”? It is the one who has Him.  And the one who has Him, has everything!  By contrast the one who “has (Him) not” will lose everything in the end.

So, what is your choice? What is it that you most want? The temporary things that this world can give, or the eternal treasures of the life of Christ?  What is it that you seek?