Solomon’s Prayer

Series: Hear Me

1 Kings 3:9, Judges 2:16; James 1:5 ESV

The Hebrew word for discern is לְהָבִ֖ין

lə-hā-ḇîn is the pronunciation and it literally is a God given gift to understand and know.

In I Kings 3:9 Solomon said, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

Merriam Webster defines discernment as “the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure.”

In other words, discernment is not clear cut.

By that definition it seems like we either have discernment or we do not have discernment.

Thankfully, even if we do not have discernment according to the definition, we can learn awareness. We can pray and ask for help (see James 1:5).

In Seminary I was taught reading and studying scripture daily opens the door to a world of knowledge. I would add…pray before you begin and the Spirit will guide you to truth.

Believers also possess a common sense knowledge we are given by the Spirit of God that resides within. If we hear something we can ask ourself if we have peace about the concept. When the Spirit of peace that resides within believers reacts positively we can trust that peace.

The Spirit of God also affirms concepts to us if they make sense. Some people may not be educated but God has blessed then with an abundance of common sense. My mother never liked school and when I asked her why I found out at a pivotal time in her life a teacher singled her out (not in a good way). When she finished high school in 1948 she was done. But she possesses common sense that is admirable. We need to be careful not to equate intelligence with level of education. Mother has incredible discernment skills.

That brings us to using the skill of asking those who possess wisdom and understanding. Having. Master of Divinity required 144 graduate level hours (a law degree requires 90 hours). Being highly educated gives us clues but possessing wisdom from God and wise believers offers a godly perspective to those who ask for wisdom.

I once met a man when I was 20 years old who prophesied over me. I was young and I did not write down the prophecy, but from what I remember he was right that there would be a “break” in my life. At the time I thought it referred to my big “break” or a good change. Looking back I now know what he saw was that I would be broken. He was right.

Finally, pray daily that God will help you to discern truth and watch for open doors and closed doors. Ask God to show you the difference.

I tend to go about life just “happy as a clam” so I need to ask God regularly to remind me when I need to stop and be aware of clues from God.

I…we need to be always aware that true wisdom comes from God, Judges 2:16 says, “Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.”

God gave Israel judges for a reason.

James reminds us in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

The Message from James 1:5-8 tells us, “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.”

In other words being condescending by thinking you are more superior or important than anyone else won’t impress God.

Be humble.

Be honest with God in the same way a child can be honest.

Remember that God is father…daddy who wants to help when we need help.

Deborah/acrazyjourney.com