May 20 - Psalm 83 | 1 Chronicles 29:23-25 | 2 Chronicles 1:1 | 1 KINGS 2:13-3:4 | 2 Chronicles 1:2-6 | 1 Kings 3:5-15 | 2 Chronicles 1:7-13

Good morning everyone,

Psalm 83 is believed to reference 2 Chronicles 20, a pretty cool story, actually. King Jehoshaphat was about to be annihilated when the Spirit of the Lord came upon a  prophet who told him, “ The Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” So Jehoshaphat instead of running or fighting, appointed singers to go before the army singing praises to the Lord. It confused the attackers so much they started attacking each other, killing each other off. I love that! Well, not that they killed each other, but the reminder that “the battle belongs to the Lord” and if we would just sing praises, to God in all situations He can do a much better job of taking care of any attack or grief than we can. Right on?

On to King Solomon, I feel like we’ve been in sort of a mourning for the death of King David. Honoring him with his and other’s Psalms, but now it is time to move on. You’ll remember that Solomon was but a child, somewhere between 12 and 16 when he took the throne. Clearly wise beyond his years. One of the first things he does is clean house, taking care of the men, the treacherous traitors, his dad had warned him about, firmly establishing the kingdom.

We’re told Solomon loved the Lord, following all the decrees of his father, David. It was Solomon’s practice to give sacrifices to God, however, when David brought over the ark over from Gibeon to Jerusalem, he left behind the bronze alter in front of the tabernacle of the Lord. So Solomon gathered all the leaders of Israel and together they made a road trip to Gibeon where, we’re told, he offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. Holy cow … literally. Right?

While at Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night and, you know the story, God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” and Solomon said, “But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties…..give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” The child asked for wisdom to do his job. He didn’t ask God to do his job for him, but that God would provide the tools for him to do the job himself. That, in and of itself, is a devotional. Too often we sit and ask God to “help” us and we don’t lift a finger to help ourselves. The perfect example would be; (bear with me  and please don’t judge :-) Picture this, I am sitting on a sofa washing down my third In-N-Out cheeseburger with an extra large chocolate shake and I say, “Oh God, please let me lose weight.” Seriously, God will help you with anything, “help” being the operative word. God can make me lose weight all by himself but what lesson would I learn? God wants you, wants me to be a disciplined people. Make sense?

Anyway back to Solomon, he asks for wisdom, it begs the question, how does a kid that age even know to ask for wisdom? Where else? His dad, David, who was a man that loved God, who sought to be close to God at least as much, if not more, than any other person ever. David tells Solomon all about wisdom, we read in Proverbs 4:4-9, and Solomon remembered his Father’s words. 

Over and over again in the Bible we read, we’re given examples, we’re instructed teach your children. You, as their parent or grandparent, are their single biggest influence. What you say, the way you act, depicts the way they will want to live, molds the person they inevitably will grow up to be. Solomon knew wisdom was more precious than rubies because that is what his daddy taught him. Friends, I would encourage you to teach your children the BIBLE. The Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, so when they are on their own, they will remember and act accordingly. Amen?

I pray you have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …