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Daily devotional · June 8

Asking for Wisdom

“One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day. And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number. Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?” Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be.”
1 Kings 3:5-12 (BSB)Read the whole chapter →

God appears to young Solomon in a dream and offers him anything. Solomon could have asked for riches, long life or victory. Instead he admits he is like a child who does not know how to go out or come in, and asks for an understanding heart. God is pleased, and adds what he did not ask for. Wisdom begins with an honest admission of our limits. Many of us pray only for outcomes, when the deeper need is discernment for the choice in front of us. Today, identify one decision you are facing, a purchase, a conversation, a change of direction. Before analyzing it any further, pray a simple prayer for wisdom, and then write down what you already know is right. God gives generously to those who ask without pretending to have it all figured out.

Prayer

Lord, I do not know the way. Give me an understanding heart for today's choices.

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