Forty Days of Prayer: Day 39
February 27
Day Thirty-Nine
1 Kings 3:7–14
“Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 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?”
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So, God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies, but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”
Solomon found himself suddenly anointed King of Israel. He was overwhelmed with the magnitude of what he had been called by God to do and he felt inadequate. He felt ill-equipped, like no more than a child. He even worried that he wouldn’t be able to tell right from wrong when push came to shove Do you ever feel inadequate, as though you are in over your head? God often puts us in situations that are outside our comfort zone—not so that we fail, but so that we rely more heavily on Him.
Solomon asked God for exactly what he needed. If God had ordained him to be king, then it made sense to trust God to equip him for the job. So, he came to God, humbly, and asked God to fill in the gaps where he was lacking knowledge and wisdom. I love that Solomon was self-aware. He took a long, honest look at himself and knew that he was lacking in key areas that were crucial for leading God’s people and pleasing God. In fact, Solomon was almost too aware of his inadequacies. Isn’t that how we feel sometimes? We look at all our past failures and mistakes and think, I’ll never succeed at this. How often do we shy away from what God is asking us to do because we are afraid we will fail? But Solomon knew that God would supply everything that he would need to fulfill his God-given destiny. He just had to ask.
God answered Solomon’s prayer in a big way. In fact, God not only answered the prayer, but He gave him the things that he didn’t feel worthy to ask for, like wealth, honor and a long life. God promises to supply all our needs through His riches in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). Usually we think this means finances. But God is referring to everything—love, mercy, patience, boldness, insight, creativity, business savvy, physical strength, health, stamina, and a thousand other things— whatever we need to complete the mission He has called us to.
And, let’s not miss the last part… God wanted Solomon to be obedient. This meant not only working at being a great king, but continuing in a close relationship with God. God promised to continue to support Solomon throughout his life if Solomon continued to be obedient. God also promises to be there for us if we align ourselves with Him and keep Him first in our lives. One of my favorite sayings is “Blessings are always on the other side of obedience!” I don’t know about you, Sisters…but that is exactly where I want to be!
Additional Scriptures: Matthew 19:26, Philippians 4:13, John 14:12-21, Galatians 5: 22-25
Dear Lord, So often I have a need, but don’t know exactly what I should pray for. Like Solomon, I sometimes feel overwhelmed with my situation and I am so afraid of failing, but I know You love me and I trust You to supply all my needs. Thank you for being my Savior, my Source and my Constant Companion. I am nothing without You; but with You, what seemed impossible is possible. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
