It’s Simple 

Proverbs 

In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, ‘Ask what I shall give you.’ Solomon said to God, ‘You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people for who can rule this people of Yours? 2 Chronicles 1:8-10 

God plays the magic genie and offers to grant Solomon whatever he wants. Solomon refers to God’s lovingkindness which is a particular reference to God’s faithfulness to fulfill His covenant with David. In the Davidic covenant, God promised David a son that would rule after him as the next step in God’s ultimate promise to David; that from his heirs, the Messiah would come. And that his kingdom would last forever. 

God’s lovingkindness, that is referenced to over and over throughout the Old Testament, is not God being nice to us, per se. His lovingkindness refers to God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises. In a world where everyone falls short of keeping all their promises, God fulfills His promises completely and faithfully, always and fully. 

God said to Solomon, ‘Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you have possessed nor those who will come after you.’ 

So Solomon went from the high place which was at Gibeon, from the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel. 2 Chronicles 1:9-13 

Solomon didn’t ask for a fish. He asked God to teach him how to fish. This new king, around 20 years old, was wise enough to know that he was in over his head. He was recently inserted into the role of the King of God’s chosen people, numbering millions of people at that time. 

To have wisdom, over all else, is, well, just a smart request on the part of Solomon. Our lives are the culmination of our decisions. Yes, some are dealt more difficult live situations than others. We can’t choose where we are born and who are parents are. But even within similar situations, people can turn out completely different by making better decisions. 

Two Sons 

Consider the simple story of two sons who were born in a family with an alcoholic father. These boys grew up in the same situation. 

One son became an alcoholic. “What choice do I have?” he said. “My father is an alcoholic.” 

The other son never touched a drop of alcohol. “How could I?” he said. “Look what it did to my father.” 

From this simple story, we see that our lives are the culmination of our our ability to think and process information, make decisions in alignment with our world-view. 

How can I change my ability to make better decisions and change the trajectory of my life? 

1.  Ask for Wisdom!

But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 

2.  Attain Wisdom!

Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! The beginning of wisdom is acquiring wisdom. And with all your acquiring, get understanding! Proverbs 3:5,7

The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens. Proverbs 3:19. 

Reflect upon this simple verse for a moment. The Lord created the world we live in by wisdom and the laws and principles of our universe are set up to function when wisdom is applied to the lives of those who live within this world. The natural, physical and moral laws of our universe were created so that its inhabitants would prosper when they apply biblical wisdom to their decisions. 

It’s so simple 

• Be wise, be blessed. Be foolish, be cursed. 
• Be wise, good things happen in this life. Be foolish, bad things happen in this life. 
• Make wise decisions and prosper. Make foolish decisions and suffer. 

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. 

Let’s set our hearts and minds to ask for wisdom, always and often. Let’s follow up our prayers with action to apply learning in the form of daily in-take from Proverbs. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs. One for each day of the month.

Lord, it’s simple but it’s not easy. But first, we thank You and praise You that You gave us a lighted path to walk down in life and clear guidance for our daily lives and decisions. Give us the moral strength to follow through and apply wisdom to our hearts, minds and decisions. For Your glory, Amen!