Wisdom/Understanding

We have a new pastor of community development (I think that's his title anyway) at our church and he preached his first message (at our church) last weekend.  The message really spoke to me and I've found myself applying it a lot this week.  So, I thought I would share a shorter version of what he spoke about.  The message was based on this passage:

In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.s7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.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?s10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;ss12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.s14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants. 1 Kings 3:5-15

Pastor Phil focused on the fact that Solomon first humbled himself: "I am but a little child."  Solomon was about 20 when he took the throne from my understanding.  I thought to myself how difficult and rare it is to see true humbling in our society.  Humbleness is not weakness, but truth.  We are but specks of sand.

The next main point is that Solomon could have asked God for anything and God would have granted it.  What would you ask for from God (or whatever power you believe in) if you were given the chance?  Many of us would ask for health (for ourselves and/or family), freedom from debt, peace in relationships,  or. . . who knows what.  In the end, all of those things are selfish.  Even health for our children or our children's children is ultimately selfish.  Solomon asked for wisdom/understanding (depending on the translation) so that he may be a wise and understanding ruler/king.  Because he was selfless God granted him so much more, but I believe that Solomon would have been an amazing king even if he was not blessed with riches, servants, honor, etc.  He had a heart for God and a heart for the people. 

So, what did I take from this that I applied to daily life?  When we ask God for health, wealth, wins, our desired outcome, etc. is that really pleasing to God?  I have often prayed that God's Will be done in a situation and that he gives me understanding of His Will.  I have prayed in the past for wisdom.  Now I make sure that is an integral part of my prayers.  May God grant me the wisdom to know the right choices and actions to make.  May I be understanding of whatever outcome that may lead to.  I think of this part of the Serenity Prayer:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference. 

I remember seeing it on the wall in my grandpa's bathroom for years and thinking that he must be a Christian if he had that prayer hanging in his bathroom.  It was many years later when I learned that it was the AA prayer and he had it because he was an alcoholic.  Sometimes I miss the innocence of youth. . . but I digress.

During this adoption process, we've had many friends and family members concerned for us.  Yet, we have a peace that God's proper timing will prevail.  While we may hope and dream of our desired outcome (a healthy baby in our arms and in our family), I rest in knowing that God has a plan that far exceeds our plans.  What we need is the wisdom to know what we can change and how to change it.  May God grant it to all of us.