Discernment and humility

Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’ (verse 9)

Read 1 Kings 3:1-15

What would you ask for if God said to you, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”? Money? Good health? Long life?

It showed a significant amount of wisdom to even ask for wisdom. Most people would ask for something that comes out of a desire for security, power, or influence – or all three! However, Solomon’s response came out of humility. He says, ‘Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties:

In response, the Lord acknowledges Solomon’s humility, and grants him not only a discernment heart, but also wealth and honour. As Proverbs 15:33b and 18:22b says, ‘humility comes before honour’.

Recall any experiences in your life when humility came before honour.

Gracious Lord, grow humility in my heart and help me to discern right and wrong. Amen.

by Rebecca Cronau in ‘Time Out to Tune in’ (LCA, Australian Christian Resources, 2018)

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