Three Things to Learn From Two Men: David & Solomon Part IIनमूना

Wisdom Wins the Day

In the story of Solomon, we see that wisdom played a significant role in his life. As a leader, he loved the Lord. He walked in the statutes of his father, David, but also made the mistake of sacrificing and burning incense at the high places, worshiping false gods. This reminds us not to have a similar “but also” in our lives when it comes to following God. We cannot love Jesus but also love our own way. We cannot love Jesus but also love our selfishness. Such an attitude will ultimately destroy our lives.

Solomon’s great wisdom came from his request to God for discernment and the ability to judge and administer justice for his people. That request pleased the Lord, and He granted Solomon a wise and understanding heart that was unmatched by anyone before or after him. If we lack wisdom, we too can ask God for it; He will give it to us without reproach. Our God is a generous God. He wants us to live lives that are wise and pleasing to Him. The Bible is clear that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. When God is in His rightful place, and we are in ours, we can find a worldview that is both wise and God-glorifying.

Wisdom is a valuable asset in our lives. It can be acquired through experience, especially by learning from our mistakes. As the Harvard Business School states, "Experience comes from what we have done; wisdom comes from what we have done badly." Wisdom is also the quality that keeps us from getting into situations where we need it. Theologian J. I. Packer defined wisdom as “the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal together with the surest means of attaining it.” Wisdom is also the reward we get from a lifetime of listening when we might have preferred to talk.

Wisdom wins the day, and we should strive to walk in wisdom for God to use us. Let us follow Solomon’s good example, not his mistakes, and seek wisdom and leadership from God, to serve others well and guide our lives.