June 7

June 7

Solomon & his Prayer -- God visits Solomon, Solomon's prayer, dividing the child, & the Word.

Today's Readings:

Reading 1: 1 Kings 3

Reading 2: Matthew 7:7-11

Reading 3: Hebrews 4:12-13

Solomon is established as king and has only one fault (according to today's chapter) - he continues to sacrifice at local shrines rather than at the tent of meeting. In other words, he wants the freedom to approach God in his own way rather than trusting God's revealed way alone.

But God is pleased when Solomon asks for wisdom to rule rather than selfish requests such as long life, wealth, or power. And God promises to give Solomon what he has asked, along with all the other things he chose not to request. This pre-figures what Jesus promises all of His followers in Matthew 7 - that God will give us what we ask when we seek Him foremost.

And Solomon's wisdom is proved almost immediately when his first case involves the two women fighting over one surviving baby. When Solomon commands that the baby be cut in two, the reactions reveal the hearts of the two women, just as the Word of God is a sword that reveals our hearts when we read it.

So as we embrace God's wisdom by reading His Word, let's expect Him to be at work in our lives and answering our prayers in the way He knows is best.

Have a great day!

Mark.