Trusting the Lord for Grace and Wisdom
“And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.” (1 Kings 3:7)
When God told Solomon, “Ask what I shall give thee.” (1 Kings 3:5), Solomon answered,
“And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart, to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” (1 Kings 3:7-9)
Solomon gave God a wise answer. He also gave in his answer four qualities God wants in a leader. We saw the first when Solomon told God, “…thou hast made thy servant king…” God wants you to see first that you are His servant, accountable to Him, even as a leader.
Solomon also said, “…I am but a little child:” Solomon’s age when he became king is unknown, but no doubt he was young. He knew he needed God’s grace and wisdom to serve as king. The second leadership quality, then, is to admit you need God’s grace and wisdom as a leader.
Many elected officials, including senators and congress members, have post-secondary and post-graduate education. They bring helpful knowledge and skills to the table. As a leader, you may be highly educated. America needs well-educated leaders. Yet education doesn’t guarantee wisdom. People can be well-educated but still unwise. In fact, education also doesn’t guarantee virtue. Well-educated people can still be misguided or even unscrupulous themselves.
America has problems. As a leader, you need grace and wisdom to make the right decisions and courage to stand by them. God wants to give it. The Bible was written to give you wisdom: “To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding;” (Proverbs 1:2) Before you make decisions, consult God’s Word and ask Him for grace: “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)
Aside from being a leader, though, you’re also a human being whom God loves. You had a personal life before you became a leader. You still have it. God wants to help you as a leader and in your personal life. Make a habit of reading God’s Word and asking the Lord to help you. God’s Word gives you priceless spiritual education and personal encouragement, and it’s free.
Eternal life is also a free gift from God that Jesus, God the Son, paid for on the cross. If you want to see how to have your sins forgiven and eternal life by receiving Jesus as Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 10/18/2021
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822