<\/p>\n
1 Kings 4:1-34; Psalm 72; Psalm 127<\/strong><\/span> As we read 1 Kings 4 verses 29, 32 & 33 today, I am reminded that some say Solomon was the last person on earth (well besides Jesus of course) who knew everything there was to know about any and all subject\u2019s of the day \u2013 \u201cGod gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge too vast to be measured. He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Solomon was obviously one wise person.\u00a0 What do you think the wisest thing about Solomon was?\u00a0 I think it was this \u2013 he was in relationship with God.\u00a0 That was the #1 wisest decision Solomon ever made.\u00a0 And it\u2019s the #1 wisest decision you or I could ever make \u2013 to be in relationship with God through his son Jesus.\u00a0 From this wise decision flows all other wisdom in our lives.\u00a0 But this decision is of primary importance\u2026\u00a0 \u00a0Are you as wise as Solomon in this regard?\u00a0 Does your heart belong to God?<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ll admit.\u00a0 I pay attention every single time the Bible talks about serving the poor.\u00a0 And it is a lot.\u00a0 And I think it is for a reason.\u00a0 Here it is again in Psalm 72 verses 12 & 13, speaking about Israel\u2019s king \u2013 \u201cHe will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.\u201d <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Verse 20 tells us \u2013 \u201cThis ends the prayers of David son of Jesse.\u201d<\/em> And below is a painting of an older King David\u2026 perhaps playing a Psalm he wrote\u2026?\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is interesting to note that Psalm 127 today is written by Solomon.\u00a0 Think he might have written this around the time of building the temple? It would be very fitting!\u00a0 Psalm 127 verse 1 I think I heard for the first time verbally a couple of years ago on a Habitat for Humanity job site. Each morning the volunteers would take turns leading devotions before the day\u2019s build. One morning a volunteer read Psalm 127 verse 1 to all of us, which was absolutely fitting for working on a Habitat house \u2013 \u201cUnless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.\u201d<\/em> Great stuff and I believe this verse is not only applicable to working on Habitat houses, but is very applicable in our own lives as well.\u00a0 Are there things we are building or creating in our life that might be outside of God\u2019s will for our life?\u00a0 Are we building these things on our own? If so, should we be building these things?\u00a0 Will we take to prayer all that we build in our lives and seek God\u2019s guidance and blessing upon our work? Is God building our life or are we attempting to build with our own power? Is God protecting our life or are we attempting to protect ourselves with our own power?<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking of work, I also love verse 2 in this Psalm 127: \u201cIt is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.\u201d <\/em>Great verse to combat our workaholic tendencies, no?\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 Do you overwork yourself these days?\u00a0 What for?\u00a0 Is this pleasing to God?\u00a0 Are you taking a Sabbath day of rest once a week to simply be in relationship with God?\u00a0 To enjoy God\u2019s rest?<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong>\u00a0 Our readings in Psalm 72 remind me of the fantastic\u00a0Third Day song \u201cRevelation:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n