1 Kings 3:7-13 (NKJV)
“Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.”
We can learn from King Solomon in our scripture reading for this week. We can learn the lesson of humility and touching the heart of God.
We see here the King describing himself as “a little child” and coming to God to ask for an understanding heart. He looked at the task before him, the task of leading the children of Israel and asked God to give him an understanding heart so that he distinguish between good and evil. He understood that he could not fulfil this calling without the divine help of God.
God was so impressed by the content of his prayers that He not only answered his prayers, but gave him beyond what He had asked for. He gave him a wise and understanding heart as well as riches and honour. Following on from this he was able to exercise right judgement in the case of the two women who came to him. (read 1 Kings 3: 16 – 28).
We have multi-faceted roles as women and need an understanding heart and wisdom so we can do well in our roles. So let’s daily humble ourselves and come to the Lord to ask for an understanding heart to discern appropriately in whatever role he has given to us – whether it is wife, mother, sister, minister, career woman, student, business woman or otherwise.
Dear sisters, the content of your prayers might just open the door for blessings unasked for, so let the Holy Spirit guide and help you to pray prayers that touch the heart of the Lord.