5-5-5 Daily Devotions Challenge: Paths, Part 3, “Lean Not”, Sep 3-4, 2022

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S.O.A.P. – “Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer”

What is the most surprising thing God has accomplished in your life?

Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and married one of his daughters. He brought her to live in the City of David until he could finish building his palace and the Temple of the LORD and the wall around the city. At that time the people of Israel sacrificed their offerings at local places of worship, for a temple honoring the name of the LORD had not yet been built.

Solomon loved the LORD and followed all the decrees of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local places of worship. The most important of these places of worship was at Gibeon, so the king went there and sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings. That night the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” 1 Kings 3:1–5 NLT

Do you still honor and worship God even when things aren’t going well in your life?

Who do you trust to provide for you, to protect you, and to give you purpose? A good way to tell is who you rely on when you feel insecure. Some people rely God, others on the government, others on personal wealth, even others on their own individual strength. How about you?

If you were in charge of many people and God asked you what you wanted and needed most, what would you say?

Lord, thank you for being our provider, protector, and giver of purpose. Teach me to rely on you as my firm foundation for the future!

Is humility a top priority or a last resort for you? Why?

Continuing from yesterday…Solomon replied, “You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne.

“Now, O LORD my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”

Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, where he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he invited all his officials to a great banquet. 1 Kings 3:6–15 NLT

Why was Solomon’s humility so important to his success?

Solomon was in an extremely privileged position because his father had been faithful to God. God was honoring David’s faithfulness by blessing Solomon. How has the legacy of your father positively or negatively affected you? Are you blessing the next generation by being faithful to God?

Lord, thank you for the faithful who have gone before us. Help us to be faithful as you are faithful so we can participate in preparing the way for future generations to be blessed.

Think about the wisest person you have ever known…what was that person’s relationship with God?

Solomon would write later in life, My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:1-12 NLT

Why is loyalty and kindness essential to finding favor with God and people?

Are you trusting in the Lord with all your heart—TODAY?

What does Solomon say can affect physical healing and strength?

What is the promise associated with honoring the Lord with the first and best of your income?

Do you have a positive attitude towards God’s correction? How does it come into your life?

Lord, help me be open to your correction so that I can be filled with faithfulness and integrity. Bring me healing and strength as I fear you and turn away from evil.

When are you overcome with awe at the magnitude of the wisdom and intelligence that went into crafting this magnificent universe?

Solomon continues, Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.

By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens. By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky.

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. Proverbs 3:13-26 NLT

Considering making a list of all of the stated benefits of wisdom starting with “joyful.” Can anything compare to humbly knowing God’s plans and understanding?

If you hang on to wisdom, common sense and discernment, they will refresh your soul, keep you safe, help you sleep without fear, and not be afraid of the disaster that comes on the wicked. This is all based on having who as your “security”?

Lord, YOU are my security. Teach me your ways, and help me be filled with your wisdom! Help me fear you so that I can sleep soundly and live wisely!

What is an area of curiosity and learning in which you are currently pursuing greater wisdom?

Solomon continues, Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm.

Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD, but he offers his friendship to the godly. The LORD curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright. The LORD mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!

My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child.

My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.” Proverbs 3:27–4:9 NLT

Are you careful not to “withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them”?

What “violent people” are many tempted to envy and imitate (real and those in “entertainment”)? Are you careful to hate what God hates, even when it is considered “entertainment” (and therefore does not feel as real)?

If you love wisdom, what will wisdom do for you?

Lord, I want wisdom and I need the humility to see, accept, and live it out. Help me be alert and clear-minded so that I can see clearly. I want to be protected by wisdom. I want to be guarded by wisdom. I want wisdom to make me “great.” I want to be honored by wisdom. Thank you for sharing with me your precious wisdom with which you created the world!

5-5-5 Daily Devotions Challenge: Paths, Part 3, “Lean Not”, Sep 3-4, 2022

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