Fri.’s Devo - Discernment

Read: 2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17; Romans 6:1-23; Psalm 16:1-11; Proverbs 19:20-21
Solomon began his kingship with God’s favor and God magnified him in the eyes of the people. He went back to the original tent of meeting and offered sacrifices to God in Gibeon which is where the tabernacle was resting till he could build the Temple. God received his gift of 1,000 burnt offerings and offered Solomon a gift in return. God asked Solomon what he wanted giving Solomon a blank check. Instead of asking for material things, Solomon asked for discernment to judge the people fairly. This was something that money could not buy. Discernment which is wisdom to know what to do with the knowledge you have is only gotten through God. God was so pleased with Solomon’s request that he added wealth and honor and riches to it. He would have more than any of the kings in all the earth had ever had and would ever had. Through his request all Israel and the world was blessed. Egypt, the Hittites, Syria and Tyre was blessed because he traded with them abundantly. When we please the Lord, God makes even our enemies to be at peace with us (Proverbs 16:7). Jesus tells us to even love our enemies and bless those that curse you…(Matthew 5:44).
Solomon had his heart in the right place and God sent him Hiram to help him do the things he couldn’t do like the carving and engraving and weaving. That is amazing to me that God would use the king from Tyre which was a Phoenician city known for its idolatry. But God wants us to do business with the heathen. How else will they see God and have a chance to repent?
Hiram crafted the cherubim that sat on the ark. Don’t you know he felt the Holy Spirit moving in him to craft something so holy? God puts his gifts in the most unexpected places and uses the most unlikely people.
In Romans, Paul continues his sermon on grace. He explains the difference of being a slave to sin and a slave to righteousness. We are one of the other. Being a slave to sin results in guilt and ultimately death. Being a slave to righteousness brings peace and eternal life. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!
Lord, help us to change the way we think and think the way you do. Help us to see people through your eyes and readjust our kingdom to yours. Give us discernment to use the knowledge we have with your wisdom.