The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have!”
1 Kings 3:10-12 NLT
That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NLT
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
John 14:15-21 NLT
Instead of sharing my observations with you today, I thought I’d try something different. I’m just going to ask some simple questions to help you discover what the Bible teaches for yourself. That way I’m not preaching at you with my words. I’m teaching you to think for yourself and draw your own conclusions from Scripture.
Today’s challenge is to find out for yourself what the moral of God’s story to humanity is. Ready to begin? Let’s pray first.
Father in Heaven, reveal Your truth from Scripture to my mind and heart today. Help me to understand and know and put into practice the truth of Your Word. Thank You in advance for answering my prayer. Amen.
Reflection Questions
- What was Solomon’s request?
- What was God’s reply?
- What did Solomon learn and conclude in Ecclesiastes?
- What does this teach us about people?
- What does this teach us about God?
- What was Jesus saying in the final passage above?
- If God’s Word is absolutely true, what should we do now in light of these truths?
- Who can you share this with today?
I pray that God illuminates the truth of His Word to your heart and mind and that the Holy Spirit empowers you to live out that truth. May the Lord bless your day. Amen.
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.
Psalms 86:11-13 NLT