“Give
your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people,
that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern
this your great people?” -1 Kings 3:9 (ESV)
The
occasion of this prayer by King Solomon of Israel was soon after he
began to reign following the death of his father, King David.
Solomon’s reign was from about 970 -930 B. C. Solomon prayed for
“an understanding mind.” He had a purpose in focus as he prayed
for wisdom. He prayed for discernment between good and evil..He
prayed that he might govern well the people over whom he reigned.
God’s
response to Solomon’s prayer is noted in 1 Kings 3:10-14 (please
read). God was pleased that King Solomon asked for understanding
instead of long life and riches. God bestowed on Solomon “a
wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you
and none like you shall arise after you.” (1 Kings 3: 12b).
Furthermore, God also gave Solomon what he had not asked: riches
and honor. And if Solomon would walk uprightly, keeping His
statutes, Solomon was also promised long life.
I
wish that an examination of King Solomon’s forty year reign as
King of Israel showed him always following God’s statutes and
living an astute and exemplary life. He did accomplish much and the
nation prospered. The magnificent Temple was erected in Jerusalem
during Solomon’s reign. He also built the king’s palace.
Solomon’s prayer of dedication after the Ark of the Covenant had
been placed in the Temple was a high and holy time in the life of the
Israelite nation. This account of the Temple dedication and the
lofty prayer is recorded in 1 Kings 8. Solomon ended his dedicatory
address by saying to the people of Israel gathered at the Temple:
“”Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God,
walking in His statutes and keeping His commandments, as at this
day.” (I Kings 8;61).
President’s
Day is observed the third Monday in February. It is a time when we
remember in America that we have a government headed by a president.
At every inauguration of presidents from the first, George
Washington, to the incumbent, a Bible has been used in the oath of
office and a prayer offered for the leader and his responsibilities.
We as citizens are urged to pray for the leaders who serve our
county.
We
stand at a crucial point in our nation’s history. We see a
weakening of the principles that have bound us and kept us “one
nation under God.” May we, as Solomon, pray for understanding and
wisdom for our nation’s leaders and that the president and his
cabinet and others in responsible positions in government will have
understanding, discernment, and determination to live uprightly and
to rule honestly and with integrity.
Prayer:
God, guide our nation’s current leaders. Give them understanding
and discernment to lead and determination to follow Your statutes and
rule with mercy, justice and righteousness. Amen.
-Ethelene Dyer Jones 02.15.2015
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