December 27 Devotion - WALKING WISELY

What one thing would you ask of God if you knew absolutely that it would not be refused? Solomon had such a choice. After David died he became King over Israel and while he was at a place called Gibeon the Lord appeared to him in a dream during the night.

"God said; 'Ask! What shall I give you?”

في جبعون تراءى الرب لسليمان في حلم ليلا . وقال الله اسأل ماذا اعطيك

I Kings 3:5

Solomon prayed for:

"Therefore give to Your servant 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?"  

فاعط عبدك قلبا فهيما لاحكم على شعبك واميّز بين الخير والشر لانه من يقدر ان يحكم على شعبك العظيم هذا

I Kings 3:9

Solomon was asking for wisdom to be a good King. The Bible says:

The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

فحسن الكلام في عيني الرب لان سليمان سأل هذا الأمر

I Kings 3:10

The Lord was so pleased with Solomon's request that he said:

"See, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you."

هوذا قد فعلت حسب كلامك . هوذا اعطيتك قلبا حكيما ومميزا حتى انه لم يكن مثلك قبلك ولا يقوم بعدك نظيرك

I Kings 3:12

Solomon became the wisest man that ever lived. But that isn't all. God told him that because he had asked for wisdom instead of long life, riches or the life of his enemies:

"I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days."

وقد اعطيتك ايضا ما لم تسأله غنى وكرامة حتى انه لا يكون رجل مثلك في الملوك كل ايامك .

I Kings 3:13

What is really in your heart?

It may surprise you in the end that God gives you what you ask for - and maybe even all that you did not ask. Just like Solomon! Solomon's prayer was a great one because his heart was right when he prayed it. Listen to God's promise for those who have such hearts:

"I dwell in the high and holy place; With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

لانه هكذا قال العلي المرتفع ساكن الابد القدوس اسمه. في الموضع المرتفع المقدس اسكن ومع المنسحق والمتواضع الروح لأحيي روح المتواضعين ولأحيي قلب المنسحقين.

Isaiah 57:15

The Apostle Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom:

 ¹⁵ Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, ¹⁶ I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, ¹⁷ asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. ¹⁸ I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

 ¹⁹ I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power ²⁰ that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. ²¹ Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. ²² God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. ²³ And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Ephesians 1:15-23

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.

وانما ان كان احد تعوزه حكمة فليطلب من الله الذي يعطي الجميع بسخاء ولا يعيّر فسيعطى له.

James 1:5

Jesus loves you,

In Him,

Wagdi Henein