Are you reaching for your key?
About a year ago, I began a brand new morning habit because I KNOW what I need desperately in my life. So, the first thing I do when I wake is to reach for my key. It's an actual key that represents a cry of my heart—a cry for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.
According to the Bible, knowledge is often associated with learning and the accumulation of facts. It's important, but it's not the ultimate goal. Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7, NIV) So, that's where I start.
But I know it needs to go deeper into understanding. Understanding moves beyond simply knowing facts; it’s actually grasping the deeper meaning and implications of those facts. It's the ability to see how things connect and discern the truth. Psalm 119:130 says, "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (Psalm 119:130, NIV) I need understanding, so I ask for it!
Knowledge that turns into understanding can then be expressed in wisdom. Wisdom is when you apply that knowledge. Proverbs 4:7 says, "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:7, NIV)
The truth is, I need all three… All the time! And, I think you may need exactly the same thing! When you feel overwhelmed, inadequate, and in need of God's wisdom, pray the prayer of Solomon from 1 Kings 3:
“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father, David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:7-9, NIV)
Solomon had words to express his prayer, but maybe you're so overwhelmed that you don't have words. That's okay. Sometimes it's good for us to borrow the words of another when we don't know what to pray anymore!
I know this prayer is important and applicable to me and to you because of the response. The Bible says, “The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, ‘Since you have asked for this, and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have you asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart so that there will never be anyone like you, nor will there ever be." (1 Kings 3:10-12, NIV)
Like Solomon, we can pray for wisdom, and we can expect an answer. Just like in the Old Testament, we're reminded again in the New Testament in James 1:5: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him." (James 1:5, NIV)
Theologian Charles Spurgeon once wrote these words, "Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom."
Use God's wisdom today to borrow a prayer from a good friend named Solomon, and never forget you are a miracle.
