1 Kings 3:1-3:14, Verses for Gaining Wisdom and Understanding

Someone tells you they will grant whatever you wish. What would you pick? You could choose gold, power, health or a long life. God came to Solomon in a dream (1 Kings 3:5) and said " Ask what I shall give thee." Humbly, Solomon replied (1Kings 3:9) "Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy People, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this Thy so great a People?"

Solomon requested wisdom and understanding. His humble, selfless request set him apart from leaders in his day and ours. Imagine, the Lord God offered Solomon anything he wanted. The thing that seemed to weigh heaviest on Solomon's mind was his lack of wisdom and understanding to rule God's people correctly.

God was so pleased by Solomon's request that He granted him (1 Kings 11-14) not only a wise and understanding heart, but also many gifts that Solomon had NOT requested. God gave him riches, honor and a long life.

Why does this matter to those living today? Businessmen, politicians and parents should all ask God for wisdom and understanding. We are living in a world that is geared around power and riches. Neither will get you to heaven. Nor will they ensure a peaceful and happy life. If you have wisdom from God, you have power in doing the right thing. Making the right choices.

Everyday I pray for God's guidance, which means I pray for wisdom and understanding. I am tempted by the world like most humans. I need to know that God is leading me or that He has given me insight on how to get around the traps set by Satan.

Until the age of 40, I was a spur-of-the-moment person. A reactor to events around. I didn't give thought to longterm consequences. After I came to the Lord, I read about Solomon. I could see that humbling one's self in front of God is a good thing. I could see that while living according to God's commandments was preferable, it was also hard. When I started relying on the wisdom of God's words in the Bible, life became easier.

This is not to say that I don't make mistakes, far from it! It means I make a conscious effort to live according to the plan God gave us. It means that I rely on the common sense and guidance that God gives each of us. It means that when bad things happen, I respond more with wisdom than with an emotional response.

I don't want or need to be the wisest person I know. I just want to make life as good as possible for my family and me. I want to do it without hurting anyone or falling into one of Satan's good-looking traps. I need wisdom and understanding daily. Read more about Solomon in 1 Kings and see if it gives you a different idea of what to wish for.