Day 160: Wise Men Still Seek Him

Today’s Scripture: 1 Kings 3:4-4:34

Central Thought: Wise men and women seek Jesus.

Some of us remember episodes of ‘I Dream of Genie.” Did you ever ponder three wishes and think about asking for three more wishes? Perhaps that is what Solomon intended when he asked God for wisdom. The Bible says that Solomon could have asked for riches and long life. Perhaps Solomon thought that riches and long life would indeed come about naturally if he asked God for wisdom. Solomon did ask God for wisdom, and God was so pleased with Solomon’s request that God gave Solomon wisdom, riches, and honor.

‘What,” you might ask, ‘do divinely inspired and infinitely wise people choose do?” The Bible provides some detail here. First, it says that Solomon spent time writing. The Book of Proverbs records a few of the three thousand proverbs Solomon spoke. Second, the Bible says that Solomon sang. Solomon’s songs numbered over one thousand. Third, this ‘pre-Renaissance” man concerned himself with the natural world: plants, animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.

We know that Solomon’s wisdom enabled him to be a fair judge and to be known to other leaders. Solomon was sought after for his wisdom. Even today, through books and forums, scholars and the wise tend to seek the company of others who share their interests. But one who is greater than Solomon came later.

Jesus said, ‘The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here” (Luke 11:31). Reading this reminds me of the sentiment written on a tattered Christmas ornament given to me by my wise, now-deceased, mother, ‘Wise men (and women) still seek HIM.” Jesus is greater than Solomon. Just as the Queen of the South strove to sit at Solomon’s feet, so too, should we strive to make time to be at the feet of Jesus, pondering His words and His ways. Wise men (and women) really do still seek Him.

Devotional Prayer: Lord, help us to seek the wisdom that You want us to have. Help us to discern the Scripture and to read it daily with understanding. Give us the mind of Christ as we study the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Today’s Bible Reading: 1 Kings 3:4-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27