Seek Him not His Hand

If you were to go to a bookstore today, you would be amazed at

how many books there are regarding parenting. There are books

ranging from trying to get pregnant to raising teenagers, plus many

more.

Having that first child can be very overwhelming for some and

having extra guidance is very helpful. I also researched many books

while pregnant for the first time to gain some sort of wisdom. I knew

my child would eventually be in my arms and although I knew a

natural mother’s instinct existed, I still felt I needed to gain some

more wisdom and knowledge than what I felt I had at the time.

Having these books available to me gave me much needed insight

and some confidence.

King Solomon also understood this concept of wanting and

needing understanding and wisdom. Solomon was the son of King

David who was a very Godly man, and King Solomon I’m sure

learned so much from his father about the role of being a King.

However, when King David died and Solomon was the next King, he

was humble enough to realize that he needed God’s help.

In I Kings 3:5-14 we read about Solomon’s humble request to

God. God appeared in a dream to Solomon and asked him what He

could do for him. Solomon responded to God with humility and

asked that God would give him an understanding heart to judge the

people, so that he could discern between good and bad. This request

pleased God. God responded to Solomon saying that because he did

not ask for long life, or riches for himself, or for the life of his

enemies but asked for understanding to discern judgment, He would

bless him all the way around. God told Solomon that He would give

him a wise and understanding heart and that He would give him

riches and honor. God also said that there would never again be any

man like him. Solomon could have had the attitude of thinking he

had arrived. He could have been very proud and done things his way

– after all he was the King. King Solomon, though, actually described

himself as, “I am but a little child, I know not how to go out or come

in.” He truly humbled himself and cried out to God for what we all

need – wisdom.

No matter who we are or where we are in life, we will always

need the Lord’s counsel. None of us will ever, so call, “arrive” so

much that we will not need God’s wisdom and direction. What each

of us needs to do is do as King Solomon did that day and rid

ourselves of our pride and ask God for the direction and wisdom

needed to do things the way He would want us to do them. The Bible

tells us that God’s people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. This

in effect serves to remind each of us that we can never have too

much wisdom or knowledge.

Proverbs 4:5-7 tells us, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not

forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom,

and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The

beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you

have, get understanding.

Proverbs 3:5-7 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and

do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways

acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be

wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.”

God, through these verses, is instructing us to turn to Him for

everything and to gain His wisdom, and then to follow through on

what it is He is telling us to do. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely

listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

God shows us through this story of Solomon that when we seek

Him and not just His hand, He is pleased. That if each of us would

humble ourselves before the Lord and seek Him, He will answer us.

This story also reminds us that no matter who we are, we are nothing

without God and His wisdom. He also tells us that He desires to

bless His people because of His great love for us. So, whatever your

position is in this world, start today to ask God for the wisdom,

understanding and knowledge that you need to effectively to do

whatever it is you do, and remember to honor God with all you are

and have.

What About You?

1. Where do you see human knowledge falling short?

2. How could God’s wisdom instruct you in a better way to live?

From God's Garden Tools by Gina Burns