Whatever Happened to Wisdom? (1 Kings 3:3-15)

If there is a commodity missing among today's political leaders it seems to be wisdom. As I pen these lines another political leader is caught in a scandal involving poor judgment at best if not outright lewd behavior. The phrase, "What was he thinking?" comes immediately to mind. I imagine things are going to get a lot worse for him in coming days, and rightly so.

With scandal after scandal happening, many sexual, among today's political and world influential leaders, it shows an enormous deficit of wisdom. Otherwise intelligent people just making unwise, immoral, decisions in their lives should give us all cause to worry about the direction of our world. Sometimes it seems like the inmates are running the asylum. World banking and monetary leaders, presidential candidates, prime ministers, members of congress all demonstrating a lack of practical wisdom paints the picture of a world run amok.

When young Solomon took the throne from his father, David, he knew that he was green as a gourd. The enormity of the task of ruling the most powerful nation on earth at the time no doubt overwhelmed him. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon knew that job was bigger than he was and so he turned to God as his father had done. God rewarded Solomon by offering him anything he wished. Solomon chose wisdom or understanding in governing his people. God granted him his wish and gave him the bonus of riches and long life.

Wow, that's refreshing, a leader who wanted wisdom above everything else. You mean you can rule/lead without pollsters, marketing, image consultants and PR teams? Unheard of! No one can get elected, appointed, etc. these days asking for wisdom can they? Did I mention, lost commodity?

But to be honest, is there a really a cry for wise leaders among us? Is wisdom something that we hold up as a desirable value these days? Have we just fallen into the trap of just listening for what our itching ears want to hear? We blame our politicians and banking CEO's for the economic mess we're in as a country. But isn't it true that our own lack of wisdom has led to the housing and banking meltdown? We have lusted after things so much we have failed to exercise practical financial wisdom. Outgo cannot exceed income. The numbers will eventually catch up to us. You spend more than you make and eventually things will come to a screeching halt. Doesn't work for us individually, it's not going to work for us as a country.

Our poor execution of wisdom effects every aspect of daily and personal life. Don't exercise wisdom and you will eventually have to pay the price. It's true in our relationships, family life, business life, and personal life. Too often our own selfish desires and impulsiveness and sense of entitlement override our wisdom meter and we find ourselves digging out of a mess of our own creation.


I am sure that if I was in Solomon's shoes I would have asked for wisdom too. There was a lot pressure following a dad who was known as the greatest king of all time. Those were mighty big shoes to fill, especially when you never faced off against a giant with only a sling let alone conquer your neighboring enemy nations in routing victories.  But as I look at my own life, I have to say there's a lot out there to handle. I'm not sure that I'm bright enough to deal with all the stuff I've got to deal with. I may not be making decisions that will determine the direction of a country or effect world trends, but I sure need God's wisdom in my day to day life. Perhaps the wisest thing that I could do would be to do the very thing that Solomon did at the beginning of his reign and that is to pursue God and ask for His wisdom as I begin each day.


God, I confess that I'm not that bright. I don't have all understanding or all knowledge or all anything. I need your wisdom in my life. I need your wisdom as a husband and father and even son. I need your wisdom in my finances. I need your wisdom in my personal life. I need your wisdom as a pastor and as a friend. I need you wisdom in the simple day to day things of life. Lord, I'm asking for your wisdom today.

Daily Reflections on 1 Jn. 5:13-21 (I Just Want to Know)

There's a tabloid that makes it's living off the phrase, "Inquiring minds want to know." Being inquisitive is basic human nature. We want the latest gossip. We crane our necks to catch a glimpse of an accident as we drive by. We read the section in our local newspaper of the court records to find out who did what to whom, who got caught speeding, who's divorcing, who's getting married, etc. Celebrity gossip shows or websites get lots of viewers, because we just want to know.

As John pens the lines of 1 John, there are some things he wants us to know. He notes as he closes out the first of his three short epistles four basic "We knows." He tells us that he writes this first letter so that WE may KNOW we have eternal life. That's great information. WE can KNOW we have eternal life. We don't have to worry about. We can be assured. In his Gospel, John records Jesus' prayer in the garden in which Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ. Knowing is not knowing about God and Jesus. It's not a casual acquaintance with them. Knowing, in the context of John 17 is an intimate oneness with them.

John goes onto say in 1 John 5, that WE KNOW that anyone born of God does not continue to sin. Now when John says that he's talking about our attitude. It's really similar to what Paul writes in Romans 8. It's about our choice to really allow God ultimate control of our life. If we allow ourselves to walk in God's Holy Spirit, which He places in all His followers who surrender their life to Him and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, we would never have to sin again. It's an attitude of choosing to pursue Christ on a daily basis.

He also says that WE KNOW that we are children of God (if we're born of God) and that we live in a world where the devil is in control. We're in foreign territory. We're behind enemy lines. The world isn't, non-Christians aren't our enemy, Satan is. God has allowed Satan dominion over this world, which mean as long as we're still on this planet, we have to live with, endure, overcome the nature of this broken and dying world. We can expect difficulties, trials, temptations, hardships, injustice and even moronic thinking.

He concludes this book by saying that WE KNOW that the Son of God has come to give us understanding, that WE may KNOW him who is true. We can't forget that we are in HIM who is true and in HIM is true eternal life. God really wants to have a deep, personal oneness with us. He reveals more and more of Himself as we our relationship with Him grows. The more we know Him and understand Him and His truths, the better equipped to deal with the travails of this life and the greater assurance of victory is ours.

God, I long to know you more and more, deeper and deeper. Enlighten me. Empower me. Give me the tools and insight I need on this journey of life. Protect me. Strengthen me. Give me perspective. Give me greater understanding of you and your truths. Assure me. Do this so that I may bring you glory and reveal you to the darkened, lost world around me.

Daily Reflections on Judges 13:2-21 (How Do I Know When God Is Speaking to Me?)

How do you know when God is talking to you? Do you hear a voice? Do you have a dream? Does he send you a text message? Do you get some eerie feeling? Does he show up as an angel in your life? Even then would you believe Him?

Samson's mother had such an experience. She was minding her own business when an angel of the Lord appeared to her as a man. He announced that she, although sterile, would have a child. He also gave her some specific instruction on what to eat or drink and what not to eat or drink. She wasn't sure who he was but suspected he was an angel of the Lord.

Surprised by the encounter she goes home and tells her husband. But Manoah wasn't sure if it was a message from the Lord or not. He prays for confirmation. He wanted to hear the message again, this time for himself. God grants Manoah's request and sends the angel back to his wife with a confirmation message. This time, when the angel shows up she rushes to get her husband.

When Manoah heard the message for himself and the instruction he still doesn't realize that the man is actually an angel from the Lord. He offers a sacrifice to the Lord for the good news of a coming child. But to their amazement, the angel ascends to heaven in the flame. And suddenly they realize, they've been talking to the angel of the Lord.

Now I've never had that experience where an angel ascends to heaven in the flame of a burnt offering. I've cooked a lot of steaks on a grill but no angel. So how do I know when God has given me a message? If Manoah and his wife, didn't know when God sent a personal messenger until the flame experience, how do I know when God is speaking to me?

For a lot of people, determining when God is directing their life is just as puzzling. Because of the mystery, some people look for some miraculous sign or some personal sign. Others look for various evidences or voices from others to confirm their own aspirations. Some figure God would never speak to them so they don't even bother listening for the Lord or simply ignore any message.

The good news is that God today has given us His spirit to live within us. For everyone who becomes a follower of Christ, God indwells them. The spirit within us speaks to our heart and mind, makes clear God's truths in His Word, guides our steps. Although Manoah wasn't privileged to have the indwelling presence of God's spirit within him, he knew to seek the Lord's guidance and confirmation. The key to understanding God's direction is to seek Him. God's spirit within us will confirm his instruction through God's Word, through God's messengers, spiritual teachers/preachers, and through intense prayer.

God, what a joy to know that you are interested in our personal lives. What a joy to know you want to communicate with us. It's so easy to get so busy that we ignore you or that we are so eager to fulfill our own wants and dreams that we create our own message from you. Help me Lord to seek you daily and earnestly and to seize your plan, even if it doesn't make sense to me.