Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Education that Leads to Wisdom
Bible portion: 1 Kings 3: 3 – 14
Verse: “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” (1 Kings 3: 8)
Devotion
Verse: “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” (1 Kings 3: 8)
Devotion
King Solomon the wisest man on earth, says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
King Solomon used his wisdom and knowledge not only to build the temple using his father’s plans, but also put the nation of Israel on firm
economic footing. When God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon’s first response was (1 Kings 3: 6) to acknowledge the great kindness shown by God to his father David. Theodore Roosevelt the 26th President of the United States, famously said, “The more you know about the past, the better you are prepared for the future.” Secondly, (V 7) we see that Solomon was bold enough to confess about his fear, and lack of knowledge to carry out his duties as a king. After (1) acknowledging and (2) accepting his inabilities, Solomon (3) asks for (V 9) a discerning heart and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. God was pleased with Solomon’s plea and (4) answers his request, (V 13) gives him what he asked for along with (V 14) things he did not ask for like riches and honor, and a conditional long life
We are God’s people living today in a cosmopolitan world excelling in exhibiting our outward spirituality on Sundays in our sanctuary and at the market-place. However, we need to introspect our relationship with God with our inward spirituality, respect for others, openness at home, loyalty at the work place, love towards others etc. Are these virtues deteriorating from us at a rapid pace? Going back to the basics of what our forefathers taught us during their life-time is the need of the hour. Every day when the sun comes up and when the sun goes down, sitting together as a family, singing hymns, reading the bible, meditating from the Word of God and praying together were mandatory tenets of our healthy Christian life. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
When we first seek his kingdom and his righteousness, we will be able to lead well and make right decisions. We too can ask God for the same wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5). Our God is a perfect God who can find many imperfections in us. The fact our God continues to give us without finding faults is indeed reassuring. God’s unchanging Word in a changing world continues to remain the same yesterday, today and forever.
Are we prepared and confident to pave ways to educate our next generation in the wisdom of the Lord? Or, are we satisfying ourselves with the riches we crave for in this earthly life? Going after the latter will result in us wanting more and more. Pursuing God and his work first will satisfy our deepest needs.
King Solomon used his wisdom and knowledge not only to build the temple using his father’s plans, but also put the nation of Israel on firm
economic footing. When God appeared to Solomon in a dream and said “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon’s first response was (1 Kings 3: 6) to acknowledge the great kindness shown by God to his father David. Theodore Roosevelt the 26th President of the United States, famously said, “The more you know about the past, the better you are prepared for the future.” Secondly, (V 7) we see that Solomon was bold enough to confess about his fear, and lack of knowledge to carry out his duties as a king. After (1) acknowledging and (2) accepting his inabilities, Solomon (3) asks for (V 9) a discerning heart and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. God was pleased with Solomon’s plea and (4) answers his request, (V 13) gives him what he asked for along with (V 14) things he did not ask for like riches and honor, and a conditional long life
We are God’s people living today in a cosmopolitan world excelling in exhibiting our outward spirituality on Sundays in our sanctuary and at the market-place. However, we need to introspect our relationship with God with our inward spirituality, respect for others, openness at home, loyalty at the work place, love towards others etc. Are these virtues deteriorating from us at a rapid pace? Going back to the basics of what our forefathers taught us during their life-time is the need of the hour. Every day when the sun comes up and when the sun goes down, sitting together as a family, singing hymns, reading the bible, meditating from the Word of God and praying together were mandatory tenets of our healthy Christian life. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
When we first seek his kingdom and his righteousness, we will be able to lead well and make right decisions. We too can ask God for the same wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5). Our God is a perfect God who can find many imperfections in us. The fact our God continues to give us without finding faults is indeed reassuring. God’s unchanging Word in a changing world continues to remain the same yesterday, today and forever.
Are we prepared and confident to pave ways to educate our next generation in the wisdom of the Lord? Or, are we satisfying ourselves with the riches we crave for in this earthly life? Going after the latter will result in us wanting more and more. Pursuing God and his work first will satisfy our deepest needs.
Prayer
Our Father, we pray that you send your Holy Spirit in special measure, which will illuminate our hearts, so that we may learn from experience, on how to use the wisdom you have given us, as we continue to walk in discipleship, with your Son Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray – Amen!
Thought for the Day
“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” Albert Einstein
Mr. Samji John
St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Thought for the Day
“Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” Albert Einstein
Mr. Samji John
St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Vancouver, BC, Canada