Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:7-9 NKJV)
We shall never rightly choose our lifes course until we are determined to put first things first. Wealth, honor, fame, the surpassing of our rivals, are not the chief things to be considered, or our judgment will be impaired and our vision distorted. It was because Solomon desired and sought the kingdom and glory of God, that He gave him also the things for which he did not ask. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. (1 Kings 3:13 NKJV)
Impressed by the greatness of his responsibilities, the young king had gone to Gibeon to worship God. He wished to fulfill his opportunities to their highest measure, and to serve his fatherland, but he realized his inefficiency. Do you feel like this? You realize the wonderful opportunities and responsibilities of life in this marvelous age, and long to be of service to God and your fellowman, but what can you do? You are but as a little child, and "know not how to go out or come in." "Going out" stands for the active life in the world of men; "coming in" for the hours spent in the home, in recreation and society. It is like the systole and diastole of the heart's action, which should be alike consecrated to God and of service to man.
Solomon asked for an understanding heart, that he might discern between good and bad. We all need this faculty that we may discriminate between things that look very much alike, but are different in nature and direction. It is not an endowment of intellectual power, but of moral taste and discernment. It has been said, that the difficulty in life is not to discriminate between white and black, but to choose between the different shades of grey. In our fellowships, recreations, literature, and business, we are in urgent need of the understanding heart, which listens for and heeds the voice of God.
Solomon offered a thousand burnt-offerings upon the altar. We are required to present our bodies as living sacrifices unto God, which is our reasonable service. Our career is often determined by our circumstances, or by our special gifts and talents, and, on the whole, we succeed best in doing what we like best. But if we yield ourselves to do God's will, He will direct our paths.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, make us diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving You. May we prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.
God's Daily Promise
My kingdom is everlasting and My dominion will endure forever.
Psalm 145:13 (WEB)
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
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