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 from “Trying to get pregnant” to “Raising teenagers” plus many more.

Having that first child can be very overwhelming for some and to have that extra help is very helpful. I myself also researched many books while pregnant for the first time to gain some sort of wisdom. I knew that 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 and 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 1 Kings 3:5-14, we read about Solomon’s humble request to God. God had in a dream appeared to Solomon and asked him what He could do for him. Solomon responded to God with humility and asked God to give him an understanding heart to judge the people so that he could discern between good and evil.

This request pleased God and God responded back with that because Solomon did not ask for long life, 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 “I’ve 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 “Iam but a little child, I know not how to go out or come in”. He through this 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 “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge” which in effect serves to remind each of us that we can never have too much wisdom or knowledge.

Proverbs 4:5 says to us “Get wisdom, get understanding to forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting get understanding”.

Proverbs 3:5-7 says “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thy own eyes: fear the Lord and depart 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 “But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves”.

God shows us through this story of Solomon that when we seek Him and not just His hand that is when He is pleased. That if each of us would humble ourselves before the Lord and seek Him He will answer us. We also through this story are reminded that no matter who we are we are nothing without God and His wisdom. He also reminds us that He is about blessing 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 do whatever it is you do, and remember to honor God with all you are and have.