Through the Bible: 1 KingsSample

Discerning to Rule

So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?

1 Kings 3:9 (NIV)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

The world’s largest bamboo labyrinth is the Masone Labyrinth in Italy, spanning over 7 hectares. One could easily be lost in this grand creation. But with a bird’s eye view and careful planning, the route through is brought to light. These luscious bamboos needed to be regularly pruned to ensure clear and accessible paths. If left unchecked, the overgrown bamboos will block and obscure these paths. In 1 Kings 3, God delighted in Solomon’s request not to build a kingdom for himself but a discerning heart to align with God’s will. He desired to possess the insight through God’s eyes in stewarding all. God not only honored this request but blessed Solomon with unsurpassed wisdom and wealth. Though King Solomon started well and fulfilled the call in building the temple of God, he sadly allowed his pride to shake his foundation in God and cloud the eyes of his initially discerning heart. Through self-indulgence, extravagance, inter-marriage, idolatry, he spiraled into a web of compromise and disobedience to God.

Prayer:

Loving Father, thank You for Your heart to bless us in abundance. May we not stray and be trapped in self-glory but be transformed by the renewing of our minds to discern and live lives accountable and surrendered to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.