Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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  Life for the Glory of God

SOLOMON’S EARNEST PRAYER
Bible portion: Proverbs 23: 19-35. 

Key Verse: Proverbs 23: 19  
Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. 

WORD OF THE DAY: II CORINTHIANS 4:6
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 

As David was approaching his last few hours, he commanded his son Solomon, his successor to “Be strong and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord your God-walking in his ways, keeping his statutes and commandments, rules and testimonies … that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn” I kings 2:2-4 
As Solomon became king, he listened to the advice of his father David and walked in the way of the Lord, this pleased the Lord.  The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask what shall I give you?” Solomon then prayed a most earnest prayer outlined in 1st Kings 3: 6-9. He stated his vulnerability as a young king –paraphrasing [I am but a child –I do not know how to go out or come in, and you have given me this great responsibility and I need discernment to lead these great people].  This request pleased God. Why did this request please God? Solomon out of reverence and great awe for God Almighty, walked in his ways as his father commanded him. He was open, in reckless abandon in his worship and his request. He told God, I don’t know how to go out or come in, -this is not referring to going in and out of a door- but refers to Worship. Coming into the presence of God to worship and Going out WITH the presence of God into the world or to Battle. As Solomon was growing up, he saw, his father [David] come into worship God and Go out with the presence of God. God commanded the Israelites to position the worshippers on the front lines to physically lead the people into battle. [2chronicles 20:20] God wanted His people to understand the extreme importance of reverent worship when facing an enemy. Worship is love expressed; Love which God already puts in our hearts; we are all created to worship.  Expression of love to God, is to worship Him in reckless abandon of the control you have over your life. You give complete control to God. When we take a few moments daily to focus on the Glory of God, His characteristics that makes Him God; His goodness, love, mercy, forgiveness, Omnipresence, power to list a few attributes we can meditate on. When we start meditating on the Glory of God, we worship Him in truth and spirit. True worship not only prepares you for battle, it also plays a strategic part in God’s battle plan for your day. Our daily life is filled with choices and battles, so when we first choose to Glorify God in worship- [come into his presence], and then leave home to take on our day [going out with his presence]-we will have success in our day’s endeavors. God gave Solomon all he asked, yet Solomon left the way of the lord and went after wine, wealth, and women which led him astray to other gods, and down a path of self-destruction. Solomon soon understood what it was to not “keep his heart in the way” and so after writing all of Ecclesiastes stating everything is meaningless. He comes to the conclusion that – “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” [12:12]. 
 

Prayer
Dear Abba Father, I ask for forgiveness for the times I have entered an atmosphere of worship with a casual or irreverent attitude. I pray that you instill a Holy fear for your glory in my heart. Help me to direct my heart to your way. Let the words I read not just be informational, but let it transform my life into the image of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen!
 
Thought for the day. 
“This is what the Lord Spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me, I must be regarded as Holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.’” Leviticus 10:3
            
Grace Stanley 
The Carmel Mar Thoma Church, Boston

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