Growing Wise
Give to Your servant an understanding heart.
(1 Kings 3:9)
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Solomon was a young man charged with the responsibility of governing one of the most prosperous kingdoms in the ancient Near East. Israel was a significant power then, her domain extending from the Euphrates River to the border of Egypt. Responsible for so much, Solomon knew he needed help. So when God asked the young king what He could do for him, Solomon did not ask to be healthy or wealthy. He asked to be wise (1 Kings 3:9). This request pleased the Lord.
God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, . . . I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart” (vv.11~12).
The word translated “understanding” in Solomon’s request (v.9) actually means “hearing.” God gave Solomon a hearing heart so he could judge the people, and “discern between good and evil.”
Wise men and women hear God through His Book. They read other books, of course, but they judge them all by the Word of God. There is no greater wisdom.
If you want wisdom, ask God for it. The apostle James said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Meditate: I scanned God’s teachings thoughtlessly, In haste I did not hear Him; Then prayerfully I read once more, This time my heart drew near Him.
Aphorism:God opens the door of His wisdom to those who open their Bibles.
更多智慧
「所以求你賜我智慧。」
(列王記上3章9節)
所羅門王是一個負責掌管古代近東地區最繁華的王國的年輕人。以色列人在當時是一個重要的民族，屬地從幼發拉底河到埃及邊境。因為權力甚大，所羅門王深知他需要治國的智慧。所以當上帝問這位年輕的王，他可以給他什麼時，他沒有祈求富裕或長壽，而向上帝求智慧(列王記上3章9節)。這樣的請求讓上帝感到喜悅。
於是上帝對他說：「你既然求這事，不為自己求壽、求富，也不求滅絕你仇敵的性命，單求智慧可以聽訟，我就應允你所求的，賜你聰明智慧，甚至在你以前沒有像你的，在你以後也沒有像你的。」(11至12節)
第9節中所羅門王所求的「智慧」其實就是「傾聽」。上帝給所羅門一個傾聽的心，好讓他可以治理萬民，並「辨別是非」。
有智慧的人從上帝所曉諭的書(聖經)中傾聽他的聲音。當然他們也看別的書，但他們用上帝的話語來做判斷。世上最高的智慧莫過於此。
若你需要智慧，向上帝祈求吧！使徒雅各說：「你們中間若有缺少智慧的，應當求那厚賜與眾人、也不斥責人的上帝，主就必賜給他。」(雅各書1章5節)
默想：我曾對主教導漫不經心，匆忙中從不會仔細聆聽；如今在禱告中認真思考，我的心離上帝越來越近。
格言：上帝的智慧之門為勤讀聖經的人敞開。
轉載：住在鄰近遠方的信仰前輩