Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Like Father Like Son” - Monday,
3 March 2014 – Scripture – 1 Kings 3: Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh
king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into David’s city,
until he had finished building his own house, Yahweh’s house, and the wall
around Jerusalem. 2 However the people sacrificed in the high places, because
there was not yet a house built for Yahweh’s name. 3 Solomon loved Yahweh,
walking in the statutes of David his father; except that he sacrificed and
burned incense in the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice
there; for that was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt
offerings on that altar. 5 In Gibeon, Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by
night; and God said, “Ask for what I should give you.”
6 Solomon said, “You have shown to your servant David my father great
loving kindness, because he walked before you in truth, in righteousness, and
in uprightness of heart with you. You have kept for him this great loving
kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today. 7
Now, Yahweh my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father.
I am just a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in. 8 Your servant
is among your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can’t be
numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an
understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and
evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
10 This request pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this
thing. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not
asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor
have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself
understanding to discern justice; 12 behold, I have done according to your
word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart; so that there
has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you. 13
I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that
there will not be any among the kings like you for all your days. 14 If you
will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father
David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
15 Solomon awoke; and behold, it was a dream. Then he came to
Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and offered up burnt
offerings, offered peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
“Like Father Like Son” by Michael Paugh
Solomon was tasked to lead his people Israel; this was quite a
large task for such a young and inexperienced person. Solomon had just been
anointed king following his father David’s death. God came to Solomon in a
dream. He said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you?” Solomon’s response
to God’s request was one of trust and dedication. His trust was in God and his
dedication was to the people Israel. “Give me an understanding heart so that I
can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong.
For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9;
NLT).
As fathers or mothers, and as leaders in our churches or
communities, we can learn from Solomon’s request. It is not about what we have
but what we can give to our children, church, and community. This unselfish
request was pleasing to God and He granted this request to Solomon and more.
Today, in your prayer time, emulate the request of Solomon and
watch your Heavenly Father grant your request and more.
Hymn for Today:
“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” from a Latin Hymn, 12th
Century, by Henry S. Coffin, translator
1. O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
2. O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
3. O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
4. O come, O Branch of Jesse's stem,
unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o'er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
5. O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly ho
Make safe for us the heavenward road
and bar the way to death's abode.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
6. O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
7. O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
Thought for Today:
“The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of
the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10).
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Tonga!
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