My Walk With Him: And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but 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 many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 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?

Thursday, June 9, 2022

And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but 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 many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 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?

And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but 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 many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 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? 1 Kings 3:7-9

This week I start a deep-dive of Proverbs based on the Crossway Knowing the Bible series volume for this book. Week 1 of this study provides an overview, and points us to the historical context of Proverbs from 1 Kings 3-4 where God gives Solomon wisdom as unmatched by any other - either before or after Solomon. Key for me to unpack as I explore Proverbs is the inherent conflict (and how to resolve) in Proverbs, which is stated in the study guide as "[the] observations" as recorded from Solomon in Proverbs on "how God has designed the world to work...should not be taken as promises." The conflict arises when I view this statement with 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which states that "[a]ll Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." If all scripture is God-breathed, how can I not see Proverbs as promises of God? I will not answer this question today but will unpack this in the coming weeks, perhaps sooner rather than later. For now I start with the historical context for Proverbs. God appears to Solomon at night in a dream (1 Kings 3:5) and grants him a wish and 1 Kings 6-9 records Solomon's response. We see in v10-14 how this request pleased the Lord, and ends with an exhortation to Solomon that "if you walk in my ways..[God] will lengthen [Solomon's] days."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone are sinless - yet You willingly laid down Your life for me so that I could life - now to the full on earth - and forever in Heaven. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving...like Solomon and any other that walks the earth - I am sinful. My sin is great and it continues. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and energy. Heal Lisa from her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.