WISDOM IN OUR HEARTS (9)

“Therefore give to Your servant an UNDERSTANDING HEART to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil…” – 1 Kings 3:9a

Upon humbly acknowledging his need, God gave Solomon WISDOM in the HEART for exemplary Leadership: “Therefore give to Your servant an UNDERSTANDING HEART to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. for who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” (1Kgs.3:9). God gave him wisdom when he admitted, “I am a little child: I do not know HOW TO go out or come in” (v.7) and asked for “an understanding heart” (v.9). He was saying in contemporary terms, “I DON’T KNOW what or how to do. I’m not old enough or smart enough, and I don’t have what’s needed spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and otherwise.” He however knew if God gave him wisdom and understanding in his HEART, he could do his assignment. God did this for Solomon.

Solomon’s prayer and declaration as he prepared to take the reins of government from his father David, contain an acclamation that every child of God should seek after – an understanding heart and the wisdom to discern between good and evil. Before his death, King David had charged his son to walk in God’s ways and keep His statutes, commandments, judgements, and testimonies. The young king was instructed to govern according to all that is written in the Law of Moses (1Kgs.2:1-3). He appeared to put his father’s counsel into practice, for when the Lord appeared to and asked him to make a request, Solomon asked for more than great knowledge; he wanted understanding, and he wanted it in his HEART, not merely in his head. He cherished this in order to lead God’s people rightly and wisely. He did not ask for wealth, power, or a long life, and his unselfish prayer pleased the Lord!

The testimonies of Scriptures confirm that God gave Solomon Wisdom in the Heart:

God answered Solomon, saying, “Behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a WISE and understanding HEART, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you” (v.12). God released abundant wisdom into Solomon’s heart that humanity is still talking about as reference point!

Solomon later wrote, “And I SET MY HEART to seek and search out by WISDOM concerning all things that is done under heaven…Look, I have attained greatness, and have GAINED more WISDOM than all who were before me in Jerusalem. MY HEART has understood GREAT WISDOM and knowledge. And I set MY HEART to know WISDOM…” (Ecc 1:13, 16-17). Undoubtedly, Solomon gained Wisdom in his heart more than his predecessors on the throne; a proof that God answered his request.

2 Chronicles 9:23 records, “And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his WISDOM, which God had put in HIS HEART.” God put His own Wisdom into the HEART of Solomon to such an extent it became personalised as his Wisdom, one that was unrivalled and unmatched among the royal galaxy of kings!

God’s Wisdom is not based on our age, educational level, or natural smarts. We don’t have to boost our IQ or get multiple degrees to gain a heart of wisdom. If we want to please and serve God, we only need to ask in faith for wisdom (Jam.1:5). We must apply our heart to cherish and pursue wisdom: “I applied my HEART to know, to search and seek out WISDOM and the reasons of things, to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness” (Ecc. 7:25). The Bible likens someone who has NO HEART to value WISDOM to a fool: “Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, since he has no heart for it” (Pro.17:16).

No matter how much or how little knowledge we’ve acquired mentally, if our heart is right and desires His Wisdom, God will breathe afresh on us and fill our hearts with the Wisdom for exemplary life and effective leadership at whatever sphere of influence we’re at.