Introduction
If someone gave you one wish with a guarantee to fulfill it, what would you ask for? Would you ask for power, popularity, and prestige? Would you ask for riches beyond imagination? Would you ask from long life? How would you know what to ask for?
Explanation
Read 1 King 3:5,9 – “…God said, ‘Ask for whatever you want Me to give you. …So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.’ (NIV) Solomon had an opportunity to ask God for anything in the world, but all Solomon wanted was wisdom so he could please God who called him to be king.
Solomon, the author of many proverbs, wrote “When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, ‘Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.’” (Proverbs 4:3-7, NIV)
How did Solomon know to ask God for wisdom? He was taught such from his father while he was young. Solomon wrote the words of his father upon his heart. As a result, he received wisdom from God and much, much more. He received riches, honor, and long life.
Application
What is wisdom? Wisdom is the ability to know what is best and the willingness to do it.
Unfortunately, we impart little knowledge to our children. Therefore, when faced with tough decisions, they make the wrong ones. It only takes a few minutes to discuss the destructiveness of drugs, alcohol, and pre-marital sex and the significance of purity and a good education.
Sometimes we don’t feel fit to impart knowledge because of our past. That is not good enough. We should do our part and pray unto God that our children will put it into practice.
Conclusion
Solomon took the knowledge he received from his father and put it into practice. As a result, there existed no king like Solomon. Parents, let us give our children the knowledge they need to survive this corrupt society. Then trust in God that they will act upon it when faced with tough decisions.
