Learning from the Wise
The Bible teaches us that King Solomon was the wisest man to ever live. God blessed him in this way as a response to his request. God had appeared to King Solomon and instructed him saying, "Ask what I shall give you." King Solomon's response was asking that God would give him an understanding mind and a hearing heart to judge God's people so that he could discern between good and evil. Wow! King Solomon humbly understood that he was lacking and in that moment asked that God supply his greatest need.
Of all the words spoken and books of the Bible written by King Solomon, the request to God to provide him with what he needed in order to fulfill the role that God had placed him in was the wisest words of his life. What can we learn from this? What roles do you fill today that you are inadequate to accomplish? What do you need to admit to yourself that you are lacking in order to do that is required for success?
I'm not talking about health and wealth success. Yes, we are all on this TRIP so that we can be completely healthy. However, this TRIP is not to be self-serving only. God revealed to King Solomon and his father, King David, the precise instructions to build a temple of God to dwell with His people. That temple would become the grandest and most beautiful place that God's chosen people, Israel, would worship Him and His glorious presence would dwell with them.
This temple was temporary and eventually was destroyed as King Solomon and others made unwise decisions. Those decisions led to God removing His protection and favor for a time. We now know that temple served its purpose then and was an example of His future temples. Today, God's temple is your body. We are on this TRIP so that God can provide us with the plans, materials and wisdom for us to worship Him and invite Him to dwell with us forever.
GOD IS WISE
God is the originator of the ability to learn and apply knowledge to create wisdom. Wisdom is correctly applying knowledge judiciously in order to achieve the desired result. Since God is all-knowing and is holy, He is the most wise.
God is perfect in His discernment and application of all He knows and does. God teaches all that desire His wisdom through His Word and His Spirit. God graciously calls His people and children to come and learn from Him so that we will be wise.
Proverbs 3:7-8 NIV
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father of everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Job 32:8-9 NIV
But it is the Spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty that gives them understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.
Proverbs 9:9 NIV
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
