February 10, 2009
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Wisdom
Donkey and I attend Bible study one evening a week and our group usually picks a “theme” for each semester. For this one, we decided to “continue the story” after studying about David last time, so our primary focus is 1 and 2 Kings. So far, the “main character” has been David’s son, Solomon. Most folks (including myself) cannot think about Solomon without thinking of wisdom.
In a time and place when wives, sons, land, livestock, armies, weapons, precious stones, gems and metals were the desire of nearly every living human soul, Solomon asked God for wisdom. I have often wondered why. If Solomon was smart enough to ask for that which had the potential to bring him all of those other things, he must have been pretty wise to begin with. So did God actually give Solomon wisdom, or did Solomon just take the time he spent in relationship with God to help him to more effectively use the wisdom that he already possessed?
Either way, wisdom is a very valuable commodity. Many of the situations in our world that bring us grief are ones where we have either not taken responsibility when it was necessary or we have tried to take responsibility when there was no need for us to do so. Perhaps that is why the first four lines of the “serenity prayer” adopted by AA is such an effective tool. Here is the entire thing:
The Serenity Prayer Path
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
–Reinhold Niebuhr
I find the possibility that the potential for greatness lies in each of us and that spending time in relationship with God could develop that potential quite inspiring…
Comments (13)
Wisdom is a strange thing, just when you think you have it, it disappears. Wisdom comes when we understand our weakness a lot of the times.
Absolutely! There is great potential in all of us, but it can only truly be realized and used in the right way when we put our hand in God’s. ~~~ In later life, Solomon did make some mistakes that cost him plenty. Hmm.. I wonder if it was really wise to have all those wives and concubines….?
Oh that is so awesome! I am in full agreement!!! the potential we have is such a blessing, and how exciting to think of possibilities when we allow Him to be in full control!
I am also a firm believer that NOTHING is more valuable than wisdom!
Have a great week!
Wisdom is fine, but I think the world is really lacking Common Sense.
What is the relationship between wisdom and common sense? Are they the same thing? Hmmm, have to think about that one. We are going through the Bible in our adult Sunday School class, and after about a year, are up to 2 Kings. Lots to learn, both good and bad examples. I’ve often heard the first part of the Serenity Prayer, but don’t think I’ve ever read the rest. Thanks.
I have always loved the Serenity Prayer….it has gotten me through many a hard time…it also reminds me that God is in Control……….and Thank God for that……….hugs.
Great post! Spending time in relationship with God is VERY fruitful!
We should all be praying for more people to have wisdom. What an awesome gift that is, especially for our leaders.
So did God actually give Solomon wisdom, or did
Solomon just take the time he spent in relationship with God to
help him to more effectively use the wisdom that he already possessed?
I have a question. Did Jesus feed 5,000 with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish or did he inspire the people to share what they already had and realize that they had enough? Frankly, I would think the latter interpretation is the greater miracle.
I only watched 5 minutes – we have the DVD if you want to watch the whole thing!
My father always said you learn more from listening than from talking. Solomon listened. Solomon’s gift of strength and his wisdom served him well while he listened. Being human, he bgan to chatter and forgot to listen and lost it.
Common sense is quite uncommon and wisdom even rarer. Although there seems to be an awful lot of wiseguys around!
@UnworthyofHisgrace - so true!
@DanishDoll - i have been wondering about that, too…
@meganbarnard - amen. you have a great week, too!
@Bricker59 - good point, but one without the other doesn’t really work all that well…
@ata_grandma - we kinda skip around in our study. did letters of paul not too long ago. i did not know that there was more than those four lines to that poem either until i googled it to be sure i didn’t misquote it…
@LadyofAvalonLand - amen!
@Miss_Spunky91 - thank you & i do agree
@thankee - during worship, we pray for our leaders a LOT…
@theredpanda917 - i agree with you, but many would rather have a God with flash and dazzling super powers…
@Donkey_Guy_10 - how does that dvd player-thingy work again?
@maddlines - amen. i have been getting multiple messages about listening skills this week. guess i need to hush and listen myself…
@Aloysius_son - i do agree with you on all of those observations