Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Wednesday, May 13th: 1 Kings 3-5, Matthew 6:19-34 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Kings 3-5; Matthew 6:19-34

In our OT passage today, we see Solomon show signs of wisdom - by asking for wisdom.  He was wise enough to know that being able to discern right from wrong was crucial in his role as King, and he was wise enough to know that he wasn't wise enough on his own.

Can we say the same?

Are we wise enough to know that we ought to pursue wisdom and discernment?
Are we wise enough to know that wisdom does not come from within ourselves, but rather from God - the author of wisdom?
Are we wise enough to desire wisdom over everything else the world offers instead - power, money, prestige, etc?

As we'll see later in the OT, Solomon's wisdom was not enough to keep him wholly devoted to God.  Not only do we need the ability to determine right from wrong - we need the desire to chose rightly when we know what we ought to do.  Solomon did not always choose rightly.  We need to desire, not only wisdom, but the Author of wisdom.

This Matthew text fit very well with our OT passage.....
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What are you (and I) pursuing?  Where is your treasure?  Where is your heart?

I also found it awesome that Solomon is mentioned in our NT passage - I love how God is able to speak through His Word by "coincidentally" matching up "random" passages in this way.




Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 1 Kings 6-7; Matthew 7

2 comments:

Conrad said...

I found it interesting how Solomon could have asked for anything, and he chose wisdom. Solomon already knew that his father, David, was blessed by God for keeping the Lords commands and this example fit in very well with our NT passage.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (vs 36)

A good reminder to ask God for wisdom and to remain focused on seeking Him first.

Pamela said...

This stood out for me:

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[c] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

I am a worrier. I over think things. I want to know the plan. My daughter is graduating from high school in a few weeks and I know God has big things planned for her. As I think about what lies ahead it really makes me anxious. However, this verse reminds me that wherever she is or goes that God will be taking care of her.