Wednesday, January 19, 2011

True wisdom

I've been reading in 1st Kings about Solomon and his reign. It starts out to be a wonderful story, but it quickly turns tragic. 1 Kings 3:12 "Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee." You all know the story. Solomon also was given great wealth, and had a very successful reign. Until he let it get to his head. He began worshiping idols with his many foreign wives, and offering sacrifices to their gods. He wasn't using the wisdom we had been given him for God's purposes. Adventist Home page 64.3 says "Solomon began to lose sight of the Source of his power and glory." (AH 64.3) His whole reign, and the kingdom and rulers that came after him, all started going down hill. We need to remember to use the knowledge that God gives us, whether it is knowledge like Solomon's  or just knowledge that we are taught in school for God's honor. We can't neglect our duty to learn.
"Progress in knowledge is essential; for when employed in the cause of God, knowledge is a power for good. The world needs men of thought, men of principle, men who are constantly growing in understanding and discernment." (MYP 34.1)
Jeremiah 9:23, 24 "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD."
We should ask God to give us wisdom on how to best use our wisdom for Him.

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