Dr H Reflections

Adversity score ∙∙

Adversity score ∙∙

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. – Hebrews 12:1

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Don’t you realize that in a race, everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.

How significantly do hardship and adversity influence outcomes? What are some practical strategies for coping with adversity?

In May 2019, the College Board introduced a new factor for college admissions: the “Overall Disadvantage Level” or “Adversity Score” of students.

What is the SAT Adversity Score?

The SAT Adversity Score is a metric the College Board calculates to assess the level of disadvantages a student has encountered. This score ranges from 0 to 100, with 100 indicating the least hardship and 0 representing the highest degree of adversity.

The rationale behind this score is that substantial differences in SAT scores among test-takers are not solely due to their abilities, knowledge, or intelligence. Instead, these scores are also influenced by each student’s advantages or disadvantages.

The goal is to create a more equitable evaluation process by incorporating the Adversity Score alongside SAT scores. For students who have grown up under challenging conditions, lower SAT scores might reflect these adversities rather than a lack of proficiency, aptitude, or problem-solving skills. Therefore, students who have overcome significant hardships should receive fair consideration in college admissions.

What are valid predictors of academic ability?

There are several, with leadership, character, and persistence topping the list. Interestingly, the academic success of Asian students appears less affected by their Adversity Scores or family economic status. Instead, their strong emphasis on scholarly effort and self-discipline is crucial to their achievements. On average, Asian students outperform white students on the SAT by 100 points and black students by 277 points.

In The Republic, Plato discusses the “Noble Lie.” This myth is told to the masses to maintain social stability and contentment with their societal roles.

The Noble Lie suggests that all children are equal, but Greek rulers believed some children were gold, others silver and iron. These metals determine a person’s station in life.

Ultimately, the Noble Lie is a deliberate falsehood perpetuated by the privileged elite to preserve social order and advance their agendas.

REFLECT & PRAY

What is the entrance requirement for heaven? There is only one: the blood of Christ. Adversity Scores do not play a role! It is objective and final.

Father, it is so easy to judge people and think less or more of them based on some arbitrary standard. Help me to remember that everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23).

INSIGHT

There is a vast difference in age and experience between a potential college student, a teenager, and a fully grown man in his 30s. Reflecting on the adversities faced by the Lord Jesus Christ and how He overcame them can be profoundly instructive. What disadvantages did He confront, and how did He respond?

During His time on earth, the Lord Jesus Christ endured significant adversity and lived a life of faith. He was born into humble circumstances and grew up in a working-class family, and His early years were shadowed by questions surrounding the legitimacy of His birth. Throughout His life, Jesus experienced rejection, betrayal, mockery, physical abuse, and, ultimately, crucifixion. These were not imagined hardships but very real and profound adversities.

If one were to calculate an Adversity Score for the Lord Jesus Christ, what would it be?

Isaiah 52:14 But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.

Isaiah 53:2-10

2 My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.

3 He was despised and rejected– a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!

5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.

10 But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands.

The Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated remarkable resilience and unwavering dedication in carrying out the will and purpose of the Father. His steadfast persistence and absolute commitment serve as an exemplary model for all of us to emulate and follow. “Outlook determines outcome, and attitude determines action” (Wiersbe).

Hebrews 12:1-3

1 Let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

“Perhaps you have seen the bumper sticker that reads: “When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade!” It is easier to smile at that statement than to practice it, but the basic philosophy is sound. In fact, it is biblical. Throughout the Bible are people who turned defeat into victory and trial into triumph. Instead of being victims, they became victors. . .. Or, to put it another way, there are four essentials for victory in trials: a joyful attitude, an understanding mind, a surrendered will, and a heart that wants to believe” (Wiersbe).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯1-20-3

There must be a better way ∙∙

There must be a better way ∙∙

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:32

Matthew 26:52 All those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.

In 2020, a series of extraordinary events unfolded, including the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, unusual weather phenomena, worldwide social upheaval, and a widespread push towards rectifying historical injustices. Unfortunately, the calls for justice and freedom often led to violent confrontations instead of peaceful resolutions. Riots, looting, and the destruction of private property and historical landmarks were widespread, frequently occurring without any sense of personal restraint.

In light of these tumultuous events, a period of introspection is called for. Edmund Burke was a revered British statesman, parliamentary orator, and political philosopher whose influence spanned from 1765 to around 1795. He was a classic political thinker. His intellectual legacy, intricately interwoven with a profound comprehension of philosophy and its pragmatic implications on civic and societal realms, is more relevant than ever. Reflect on the profound insights he left behind.

“He that sets his house on fire because his fingers are frostbitten can never be a fit instructor in the method of providing our habitations with a cheerful and salutary warmth.”

“Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their own appetites . . . in proportion as they are more disposed to listen to the counsels of the wise and good, in preference to the flattery of knaves. Society cannot exist, unless a controlling power upon will and appetite be placed somewhere, and the less of it there is within, the more there must be without. It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.”

“Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist.”

“It is a general popular error to imagine the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare.”

“There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men.”

“The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.”

Edmund Burke’s words resonate through the annals of history, finding echoes in contemporary global affairs, notably within the American landscape of the 21st century. His sentiments were sparked by the turbulent events of the French Revolution, which took place from 1789 to 1799. He was particularly affected by the terrifying Reign of Terror, which occurred from September 5, 1793, to July 27, 1794. His thoughts reflect the ongoing fight for freedom and fairness. The French populace revolted against the exploitative and repressive values that had existed for centuries. The Revolutionary authorities, in their zeal, institutionalized a reign of terror. The French people destroyed the symbols of the monarchy and, ultimately, the monarchy itself. Those deemed guilty by the contemporary equivalent #MeToo movement of the day also lost their heads. This period, immortalized in historical records and artistic depictions, became known as “The Bloody Revolution.”

The aftermath brought forth the White Terror, a retaliatory wave of violence against supporters and participants of the Reign of Terror soon followed it. Violence begets violence.

Matthew 26:52 All those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.

And so it was. All who took up the guillotine also perished by it.

There must be a better way.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Liberty does not exist in the absence of morality” (Edmund Burke).

Father, guide me and give me wisdom so that I may know when to make peace and when to make war.

INSIGHT

There are over 1100 prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the coming of the Messiah of Israel. Over 300 of them predict that He will come as the Prince of peace, die for the iniquity of people, offering redemption to all who receive it. The Messiah would be a Suffering Servant. Miracles, teaching, and peaceful confrontation would characterize His First Coming. He would frequently turn the other cheek. He did not come to reign but rather to die for the sins of the world and provide salvation.

On the other hand, over 800 prophecies describe a triumphant, mighty King leading a powerful celestial army, vanquishing adversaries, and establishing the Kingdom of God on earth.

When He returns, He will not turn the other cheek. He will wage war!

Revelation 19:11 I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True; in righteousness, he judges and makes war.

There is a time for peace and a time for war (Ecclesiastes 3:8).

How do the children of the King know which path to take?

The New Testament elucidates the paramount importance of peace and the role of peacemakers.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

That is our prime directive. However, only some people we wish to be at peace with will reciprocate and want to be at peace with us.

Romans 12:18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Living in peace with others is the goal. However, Paul qualifies this standard with the proviso that, if possible, we must do all we can. Peace and harmony with others may not always be achievable. Children of the King are not responsible for the reluctance and failure of others to make peace. But we should always attempt to do so.

Sometimes, war is necessary. The desire for peace is not peace at any price but peace that adheres to principle. “Christianity is not an easy-going tolerance which will accept anything and shut its eyes to everything” (Barclay).

Matthew 10:16: I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

This should leave us somewhat conflicted. In such moments, reliance on the Father’s guidance becomes imperative. The Father must show the children of the King how to act in every given situation. Often, the Scriptures necessitate such dependence to discern the appropriate course of action in every circumstance.

Proverbs 26:4-5

4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him.

5 Answer a fool as his folly deserves, less he be wise in his own eyes.

Only through the guidance in the direction of the Holy Spirit do we know which response to give.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 1-31-3

The fog of war ∙∙

The fog of war ∙∙

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalms 119:105

Psalms 119:130 The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

Psalms 18:28 For You light my lamp; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.

1 John 1:5-10

5 God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;

7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

The phenomenon known as the fog of war has been extensively observed, analyzed, and documented in contemporary military conflicts. The fog of war represents the uncertainty faced by participants in warfare, symbolizing the complexities and uncertainties inherent in war. It is the personal uncertainty one suffers during an engagement, operation, or campaign. Once a battle begins, information can become confusing and even distorted.

In high-stress combat situations, all aspects of cognitive function are severely degraded. Basic cognitive functions like reaction time and alertness are notably hindered, as are more complex functions, including memory and logical reasoning. As cognitive abilities deteriorate and slow down, uncertainty and hesitation intensify, leading combatants to rely predominantly on instinct and prior training.

Notably, Navy SEAL training deliberately replicates the fog of war dynamics during Hell Week. These rigorous exercises simulate combat conditions by incorporating various stressors, including sleep deprivation, prolonged intense physical exertion, substantial physiological and psychological stress, and simulated combat scenarios.

Individuals who successfully navigate these challenges become candidates for further training to join the ranks of the Navy SEALs, the most elite military force on the planet.

The world we live in is a dark place. It mirrors a spiritual battleground cloaked in darkness, akin to a perpetual fog of war. The enemy and his minions are constantly probing and seeking advantage. Like it or not, we are at war. Picture yourself as a soldier dropped behind enemy lines. The enemy is all around and out to find and destroy you. As a child of the King, you are far from your true home in heaven.

To prevail in this spiritual conflict, we must implement effective strategies to counter the spiritual fog of war and emerge victorious in our battles.

REFLECT & PRAY

We have a choice: clarity of vision and focus or confusion and indecision.

Father I know what it is like to walk in the darkness. And thanks to You, I also know what it is like to walk in the light. Help me pursue and maintain fellowship with You as I walk with You in the light.

INSIGHT

If you grew up in an urban area, you know that there is always some light somewhere. Unless you’ve been in a cave or alone in the deep woods on a cloudy night, you may not have experienced truly dark nights away from city lights. Total darkness is indeed dark.

Psalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

In ancient times, without electric illumination, individuals carried small clay vessels filled with oil that provided a flickering light source. The light illuminated the path only one step ahead. They had little oil “night lights” to strap to their feet. A lamp to my feet can be translated as “a light that lights up the path I walk on,” “a light to shine on my path,” or “a light to shine in the place where I walk” (USB).

People could only see a few steps ahead. The rest of their route would be cloaked in darkness.

Life is a journey, and the Word of God provides guidance and wisdom to help us choose the right path.

We are to walk by faith in the light of God’s Word. We walk by faith when we follow the Word. Each act of obedience shows us the next step, and eventually, we arrive at the appointed destination. God’s Word is our guide. Obedience to the Word keeps us walking in the light (Wiersbe).

Managing the challenges of our dark world requires personal, practical, and continual dependence upon the Word of God.

The Father sent the light, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the darkness. He was life and light. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:4-5).

The Lord Jesus Christ elaborated.

John 8:12 Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life.”

In order to navigate our way through the darkness of this present evil age, we follow the Light of the Word. “Jesus professed to be not only the inexhaustible source of spiritual nourishment, but he also was the genuine light by which truth and falsehood could be distinguished and by which direction could be established” (EBC).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯1-22-3

Death Valley ∙

Death Valley ∙∙

It is a land as dark as midnight, a land of gloom and confusion, where even the light is dark as midnight. – Job 10:22

Psalms 23:4 Even when I walk through the valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Death Valley is a desert valley in Eastern California, within the northern Mojave Desert. At 282 feet below sea level, it boasts the lowest elevation in North America.

Known as one of the hottest places on Earth, Death Valley recorded an astonishing high temperature of 134°F at Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913. This is the highest ambient air temperature ever measured at the Earth’s surface.

The highest ground surface temperature ever recorded on Earth was 201.0°F in Death Valley on July 15, 1972.

In 2001, Death Valley experienced 154 consecutive days with maximum temperatures of 100°F or above. In 1996, there were 105 days exceeding 110°F and 40 days surpassing 120°F.

When we receive His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Lord, the Father invites us into a walk of faith. This lifelong journey leads us through various spiritual and emotional landscapes. We encounter mountaintops with breathtaking views and times of joy, enrichment, and encouragement. Yet, we also experience deep, dark valleys. Every child of the King traverses valleys of dark shadows. Our time in the mountains seems all too brief. But our times in the valleys seem entirely too long. Why does the Father lead His children into and through valleys?

A valley is a place of purging, purification, and renewal. The Father “draws us through valleys in order to remove every habit, thought pattern, or external crutch that we use instead of trusting Him – those suddenly seem inadequate in the low places” (Stanley).

When you stand on a mountaintop, it’s effortless to feel the Father’s embrace and revel in the assurance of His love. The heights offer serene vistas and a delightful closeness to the Father. However, it is in the valleys where true self-discovery unfolds. It is there that we get to know ourselves as we truly are. We unearth the surprising joy of His presence and the certainty of His promises. Without the valleys, we would never delve into the deep recesses of our own souls. More importantly, we begin to dig into the uppermost layers of the infinite depth of our Heavenly Father. This journey will continue throughout eternity, forever revealing new facets of His boundless being without ever reaching an end.

“You don’t really know who you are until you have gone through suffering. We can measure our spiritual growth by the way we behave under pressure” (Welch).

“Believers can shout, ‘I trust God’ from the mountain because they have learned to live by faith in the valley. Walking in the shadow of evil is difficult and frightening work. But when we surrender to whatever the Lord has to teach us in this dark place, our spirit is quieted, and our faith is strengthened” (Stanley).

REFLECT & PRAY

“Knowing God without knowing our own wretchedness makes for pride. Knowing our own wretchedness without knowing God makes for despair. Knowing Jesus Christ strikes the balance because He shows us both God and our own wretchedness” (Welch).

Father, thank You for the mountains and thank You for the valleys.

INSIGHT

King David encountered numerous skirmishes and death throughout his life, and each time, he emerged victorious. Which peril does Psalm 23 refer to? Could it have been when Saul relentlessly pursued him, seeking his life? Perhaps it was during Absalom’s defiant rebellion that David was forced to flee as his son seized the throne. Maybe it refers to his days as a shepherd defending his flock from lions and bears or the momentous clash with Goliath.

The exact event remains uncertain. What we do know is that it was a period fraught with dire danger and the looming threat of death. The Hebrew term translated as “shadow of death” is tsalmavet, appearing only 18 times in the Old Testament. Historically, it’s understood as a compound noun derived from “tsal” (shadow) and “mavet” (death), invoking images of darkness, fear, dread, and extreme peril. Implicit in this term are notions of sorrow, deep distress, suspense, and gloom.

A previously unknown Semitic language was discovered in the 1920s at modern-day Ras Shamra in Syria. The ancient city was called Ugarit, and the language was Ugaritic. It is closely related to Hebrew, Aramaic, and Phoenician. It provides Semitic scholars valuable insights into the ancient Near East’s language, culture, religion, and mythology.

A similar Ugaritic expression is translated simply as dark shadows. The word “death” is omitted. Thus, many modern translations avoid using the word “death.” For example, GECL uses “dark valley,” Weiser refers to “the valley of deep darkness,” FRCL says “the dark valley,” and SPCL opts for “the darkest of all valleys. The term itself doesn’t strictly signify death; however, a dark valley is inherently perilous and fraught with danger. Regardless of the most appropriate translation, the expression symbolizes deep darkness, severe danger, and mortal peril.

This usage is echoed in the Hebrew of Job 10:22.

Job 10:22 The land of utter gloom as darkness itself, Of deep shadow without order, And which shines as the darkness.”

David faced the darkest of all valleys. Was he overwhelmed by the shadows and gloom? Did anguish, despair, or perhaps depression consume him? Absolutely not! He knew he was under the Father’s protection. This knowledge gave him the courage, confidence, and strength to prevail. His courage in the face of mortal danger has undoubtedly inspired countless individuals through the millennia.

Every child of the King encounters dark and depressive times. David is our brother in faith; his Father is our Father. His serene confidence can be our serene confidence. Each of us can declare with absolute assurance: “He restores my soul; He renews my strength.”

“How does He do this? He restores our souls through fellowship with Himself. Even though, at times we stray far from Him, He remains the Good Shepherd. Though we wander, He receives us back gladly and willingly pardons His wayward sheep” (Stanley).

No matter how dark the valley is, there is always light on the other side.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn journeyed through numerous valleys of dark shadows throughout his life. In February 1945, after valiantly serving in the Red Army during World War II, Solzhenitsyn’s path took a perilous turn when he was arrested for penning disparaging remarks about Joseph Stalin. This act of dissent led to an eight-year sentence in a brutal labor camp. Upon his release, he faced the additional hardship of being condemned to internal exile for life.

A Russian Jew by heritage, Solzhenitsyn’s harrowing experiences in the gulags ignited a profound spiritual awakening. Drawn inexorably towards the light of Christianity, he embraced the faith with a contemplative heart, evolving into a philosophically-minded Eastern Orthodox Christian.

His profound and transformative journey is meticulously chronicled in the fourth part of his monumental work, The Gulag Archipelago. Through this narrative, Solzhenitsyn’s conversion and philosophical insights are laid bare, offering readers a window into the soul of a man who found unwavering strength and purpose amidst the bleakest circumstances. “The Soul and Barbed Wire.” The book was written between 1958 and 1968 and was first published in 1973.

He wrote of his time in the dark valleys, where I nourished my soul, and I say without hesitation: “Bless you, prison, for having been in my life!” (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯6-27-2

Win-Win ∙

Win-Win ∙∙

And all Israel heard of the judgment that the king had rendered, and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him to do justice. – 1 Kings 3:28

1 Kings 3:16-28

16 Two prostitutes came to the king to have an argument settled.

17 “Please, my lord,” one of them began, “this woman and I live in the same house. I gave birth to a baby while she was with me in the house.”

18 “Three days later this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there were only two of us in the house.”

19 “But her baby died during the night when she rolled over on it.”

20 “Then she got up in the night and took my son from beside me while I was asleep. She laid her dead child in my arms and took mine to sleep beside her.”

21 “And in the morning when I tried to nurse my son, he was dead! But when I looked more closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t my son at all.”

22 Then the other woman interrupted, “It certainly was your son, and the living child is mine.” “No,” the first woman said, “the living child is mine, and the dead one is yours.” And so they argued back and forth before the king.

23 Then the king said, “Let’s get the facts straight. Both of you claim the living child is yours, and each says that the dead one belongs to the other.”

24 “All right, bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought to the king.

25 Then he said, “Cut the living child in two, and give half to one woman and half to the other!”

26 Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, “Oh no, my lord! Give her the child – please do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “All right, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!”

27 Then the king said, “Do not kill the child, but give him to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his mother!”

28 When all Israel heard the king’s decision, the people were in awe of the king, for they saw the wisdom God had given him for rendering justice.

Traditional negotiations take the positional bargaining approach, where each party aims to outmaneuver the other to gain an advantage without considering the counterpart’s needs and desires. This approach meets resistance from the opposing side, which is trying to do the same thing. If and when all parties find common ground and agree, the negotiation ends.

Historically, negotiation styles have encompassed Win-Lose, Lose-Win, and Lose-Lose paradigms. The Win-Win method is a more contemporary and collaborative approach, wherein each participant views the other as a partner rather than an adversary.

Solomon is endowed with supernatural wisdom and insight from the Father. He had no difficulty seeing through the words spoken by the two women and quickly discerned the truth behind the conflicting claims of the two women. One of them was lying.

Solomon delved into their hearts to uncover the genuine mother. He astutely proposed that they “divide the baby” between them, knowing that the real mother’s maternal instinct would emerge. Through this ruse, he identified the real mother and granted her custody of the child.

The genuine mother’s heart yearned for the child’s well-being. The term “yearned” is translated from the Hebrew word kamar. Kamar conveys a profound emotional stirring, reflecting a sense of deep compassion and empathy. This sentiment could be interpreted as “her compassion was inflamed” or “she was consumed with compassion” (UBS).

1 Kings 3:26 Then the woman who was the real mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, “Oh no, my lord! Give her the child – please do not kill him!”

The emphatic, powerful nuance of the Hebrew is not captured with the simple phrase “not kill him.” Far better options are “Certainly do not kill him!” “Whatever you do, do not kill it,” or “On no account, let them kill him!” (UBS).

REFLECT & PRAY

Imagine if the Father directly communicated with you, granting you the opportunity to ask anything from Him; what would you ask for?

Father, more than anything, I yearn to possess the wisdom of Solomon and seek Your divine guidance to make wise and discerning choices.

INSIGHT

How did Solomon become so wise, and why?

At the beginning of his reign, the Father came to Solomon. The Father offered a remarkable proposition, “Ask what you would like me to give you.” There is nothing quite like it anywhere else in the Scriptures. This unprecedented event is unparalleled in the Scriptures. Envision a scenario where all possibilities lay open before you. Imagine anything and everything was on the table.

Solomon’s sole wish was for God’s wisdom and understanding. His plea did not stem from self-serving motives but from a genuine aspiration to govern the Father’s people with sagacity. Driven by noble intentions and a pure heart, Solomon sought supernatural wisdom and knowledge to serve God’s people to the best of his abilities.

1 Kings 3:5-12

5 The LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night, and God said, “Ask what you wish me to give you.”

7 “Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.”

8 “Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted.”

9 “So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

10 It was pleasing in the sight of 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 asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice,

12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.”

Solomon’s wisdom provided a Win-Win outcome for the actual mother and her baby, not so much for the fraudulent mother.

The Father encourages us to seek Him for all our needs. He takes pleasure in unveiling His desires and ways to us. He joyfully responds to our prayers, ensuring that when we petition Him, He attentively listens and provides exactly what we need – which may not be what we think we need or want (Stanley).

The divine wisdom of the Father is accessible to every child of the King. Similar to Solomon, our focus needs to be off ourselves and on utilizing wisdom to support and enrich the lives of others.

James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, who will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯3-0-3

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: