The Upper Room Daily Devotion – Friday, 27 December 2013 “Looking
Ahead” Read 1 Kings 3: 3 Solomon loved
the Lord, walking in
the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at
the high places. 4 The
king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place;
Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared
to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I should give you.” 6 And Solomon
said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David,
because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in
uprightness of heart toward you; and you have kept for him this great and
steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. 7 And now, O Lord my
God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am
only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.8 And your servant is in the midst of the people
whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or
counted. 9 Give
your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to
discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?”
10 It pleased the
Lord that Solomon had asked this. 11 God said to
him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or
riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself
understanding to discern what is right, 12 I now do
according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one
like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. 13 I give you
also what you have not asked, both riches and honor all your life; no other
king shall compare with you. 14 If
you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your
father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.”
15 Then Solomon
awoke; it had been a dream. He came to Jerusalem where he stood before the ark
of the covenant of the Lord. He offered
up burnt offerings and offerings of well-being, and provided a feast for all
his servants.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.(Psalm 90:12 (NIV))
During
the last week of every December, many magazines and television shows devote
special editions to the “year-in-review.” I too conduct a year-in-review.
Before I stash my old calendar in the kitchen drawer, I thumb through the
months of scribbled appointments and activities. This helps me reflect on the
events of my personal and spiritual life. While I tack up my shiny new
calendar, I wonder, What do I need to do differently to make this a better year
and to be a better Christian? This reminds me of the passage in 1 Kings when
God asked Solomon, the newly crowned king, what gift he would like from the
Almighty. Solomon realized that he lacked maturity and needed help in ruling a
kingdom. Rather than wealth, long life, or revenge against his enemies, Solomon
asked God for wisdom. God was pleased and gave him the wisdom he needed to lead
his people. Our Creator has already given each of us gifts. As I look ahead to
the New Year, I pray for wisdom to recognize my gifts and to seek opportunities
to use them in God’s service. I hope that when I thumb through the calendar
this time next year, the dates will be filled with scribbled notations of days
spent serving God.(The Author-Terry Cobb
(Missouri, USA))
Thought for the Day: This
year I resolve to use my gifts to serve God.
Prayer: God of all
times, give us wisdom to serve in your kingdom. Teach us to love others as you
love us. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone
seeking a fresh start
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