Give me an understanding heart Lord
If we look back to the Old Testament book of 1 Kings 3 we see an interesting passage that is headed “Solomon asks for wisdom”. We see in this passage that he could have asked God for anything, Solomon asked God for “an understanding heart” so he could lead the people of Israel.
Let’s have a look at the text…
“3 Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship. 4 The most important of these places of worship was at Gibeon, so the king went there and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings. 5 That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”
Solomon’s reply was not the usual. He could have asked for anything in the world. Instead he asked for an understanding heart or wisdom as the heading in the NIV calls it…
“7 Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. 8 And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! 9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”
The Lord was very impressed with Solomon’s request and granted it to him…
“10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. 11 So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”
We all need God’s wisdom and an understanding heart to do the things that God wants us to do in this life. Like Solomon we should ask God for wisdom and an understanding heart to lead His people or lead in our area of influence. It is just so vital.
How about you? What areas do you need wisdom in today? What areas do you need an understanding heart in? Remember what James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you”.
God Bless,
Dave
