Sun.’s Devo - God's Favor

Read: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27 Solomon started out loving the Lord and obeying the decrees of David, but he offered sacrifices and burnt incense at the local high places. One night after offering 1,000 burnt offerings to the Lord, God appeared in a dream to Solomon and asked him what he wanted and he would give it to him. Solomon reminisced over how his father was faithful and honest and served God. God had showed David great favor. His request was for an understanding heart to lead the people and discernment in how to judge them. *** God was so pleased with his answer that he promised to give him wisdom, discernment, wealth and fame. If he continued to serve him and obey his decrees he would also give him long life. *** Solomon’s wisdom was tested when two prostitutes came to the king and both claimed a baby was their own. They had both had babies a few days apart. During the night one of them rolled over on her baby, killing it. The next morning the other lady noticed that the baby laying next to her was dead and not hers. The one the other lady had was alive. She claimed that she had switched the baby and the live baby was hers. Solomon asked for a sword and was going to cut the baby in half and give a half to each lady. One was OK with it, the other lady cried out for the baby to live even if it became the other ladies’ baby. Solomon then gave the baby to the mother who would risk not raising their own baby just to have it live. Surely, she was the rightful mother. All Israel marveled at Solomon’s decision. *** Solomon appointed his priests, and officials. He also had twelve district governors. The people in the land experienced contentment and plenty. They all owned their own home and a garden. They lived in peace and safety. Other nations they had conquered paid tribute to them. God blessed Solomon with opulent abundance and great wisdom, understanding and knowledge. He composed around 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. He could speak about any subject with great knowledge. *** In Acts, with revival of souls and a whole new gospel, came brand new problems. The Greek-speaking believers were not Jewish and they complained that their widows were not being treated as well as the Jewish widows. A meeting was called of the elders and they selected 7 men who were well respected and full of the Spirit of God. They would handle the day-to-day operation of the church while they spent their time praying and teaching. *** These seven men prayed for people and laid hands on them. Stephen was one of them and miracles and signs followed his ministry. One day a member of the sect of Jews from other areas of Asia debated with Stephen about Jesus. They couldn’t stand against Stephen’s wisdom and the Spirit of God in him, so they resorted to false testimony against him. They accused him of blaspheming Moses and God. Stephen was arrested and brought before the high council. While they were presenting their case against Stephen, his face glowed like an angel’s. *** God will take up for his own. His glory cannot be manufactured or copied. Stephen allowed the glory of God to flow out of him in the worst of situations. May this encourage us that greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.