As we look around us and see lives falling apart and families coming unraveled, it should make us stop and ask ourselves: Why is this happening? The reason is not due to a lack of wealth, or knowledge, or because of "bad breaks." It is mostly due to a lack of wisdom, a shortage of common sense that has resulted in bad choices and warped priorities.
The reality is: Most people's lives do not come unraveled by one BIG, BAD choice, but by a progression of small, seemingly insignificant and unwise choices.
The book of Proverbs is a book about choices. In the first verse of the book we are introduced to the principle writer of the book of Proverbs. "The proverbs of Solomon..." We are told that Solomon was the son of David, king of Israel. David was the second king of Israel and Solomon was the third. The transition of power is recorded for us in the first three chapters of I Kings
I Kings 3:5-9 Therefore give to your servant an understanding heart too judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"
Three that things are foundational in lives that desire to be marked by wisdom
First we see in Solomon a reverence for God. A healthy fear of the LORD is foundational in a life that desires to live wisely. Prov. 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...!
Secondly we see Humility. Here was a person who was willing to admit, " I don't know everything." What an awesome calling, to be the king of Israel. If Solomon was to be the kind of king that God wanted him to be , he knew he would need wisdom and guidance .
If the Lord came to you and said; "Ask! What shall I give you?" What would you ask for? I think it would be safe to assume you would ask for the thing you think would meet your greatest need. So let's ask another question. What do you think your greatest need is?
Solomon realized that what he really needed were not riches, things, or for his people to think he was a wonderful king. "Lord make them like me". He knew he needed wisdom.
Thirdly Discernment - "Therefore give to your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. . .".
The ability not just to make decisions but good decisions. To be able to choose not just the good but the best. There is a skill that Proverbs will give us if we study it closely. The ability to discern between good and evil. This is very important if we are to live lives that are holy, and pleasing to God.
However there is another skill implied in this and it is the ability to discern between the better and the best, between the urgent and the important things in life. Do you have that ability? Today few people seem to be able to get a grip on what things are truly important in life. They spend their time, energy, and money not on "evil" things, but on trivial things. Good things but not the best things, urgent things but not important things. Days filled with activity and full schedules, but their lives are empty. Why? Because they lack the discernment, (i.e. understanding), and discipline, to say no to the trivial and urgent and yes to the important, lasting, and meaningful things in life.
Notice how the Lord felt about his request.
"The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing." vs 10
Each of us has a divine call on our lives. As Christians we are called to witnesses, if we are married we are called to love our spouses, if we have children we are called to be parents "who train up their children in the way they should go... " ! Do you have all the answers? Do you know it all?
What these two questions are really driving at is this; Do you have a teachable spirit? If you are struggling in any of these areas, as a witness, a spouse, or as a parent etc., may you see that what you need is not more money, a better house, a better job, or new and improved children, but like Solomon you need an understanding heart. You need wisdom to make wise choices, to set godly examples and have discernment to establish biblical priorities on a daily basis.
As you read this great book, be like Solomon, fearing the Lord and modeling a humble and teachable spirit, rejoicing that the Lord is concerned with the everyday things of your life and has given you the most practical, powerful and life changing book ever written to guide you.
2 Tim 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 equipped that the man of God may be competent, for every good work.
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