Gifted Beyond Measure

Read 1 Kings 2-3
 
1 Kings 3:3 Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship.
 
1 Kings 3:11-14 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,12 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! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! 14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”
 
BEFORE we begin the next chapter in God’s Love Story, let’s stop to remember God’s servants Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, Ruth, Hannah, Samuel and David. What did they have in common? Of course, each had a pivotal role in God’s redemptive plan for Israel and  for the world. Each person’s life has also affected your spiritual life with God today.
   How is this possible? How did these people do what God purposed for their lives? First, God chose them. Then he gifted them for their work of service unto the LORD God. Then God chose and gifted Solomon to advance his covenant of grace another major step.
   Verse 3, though, reminds us there was a constant challenge to Solomon’s faithfulness to God. The Levitical Law forbids worship away from the Tabernacle. But God did make allowances for such worship in Israel before the Temple was constructed. Joshua, Samuel and David led worship in particular places and cities at the LORD’s directive. The young Solomon joined with his father and country to obediently worship in these places.
   But this worship became Solomon’s disobedience after he built the Temple. Possibly to please his Egyptian born wife and other wives he would have, the wise man demonstrated a decided lack of wisdom as he continued this “high place” worship. How could a man God had so extravagantly gifted with wisdom display such spiritual ignorance throughout most of his life?
   The sin nature in us is very strong, isn’t it? Be alert. Each of us must be continually aware of sin’s persistent, unrelenting pursuit of our mind, heart and soul. Even as we are gifted with the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, Satan will still work to limit our knowledge and minimize our wisdom in God.
   Verses 11-14 describe God’s great blessings of earthly wealth, health and pleasure. Being a faithful Christian does not guarantee these types of blessings. They were God’s gift to a particular man for God’s good reasons. We must receive from God as he desires to give us. Make good use of the good things he gives to you. Use his power to defeat the sin that keeps you from his commands. He is LORD of all.