Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlsester, OK

“Life’s True Treasures”
"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight..." – Proverbs 1:1,2 (New International Version)
,br /> When Solomon succeeded his father David and became the king of Israel they (the Israelites) were already a great and mighty nation. Their wealth was great, their military might was few were wiling to challenge. But that was not enough to satisfy Solomon’s troubled spirit. Not long after David died God spoke to the great king’s son and gave him the option of what he desired most of all. Feeling greatly overwhelmed with his new position Solomon replied;
"Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?" - 1 Kings 3:9 (The Message).

Since Solomon chose wisdom over fame, wealth, health and military supremacy—because he chose wisdom above all the things that the human spirit craves, God gave him not only wisdom, but many blessings beside!
So was God's gift to Solomon exclusively for him? There is a part of me that says yes…and another part that says no. The reason I would say yes goes to the fact that not many of us will ever be a king or a queen and be in the same position Solomon was. Not many of us (if any) will need to make decisions for a million people. From that standpoint, yes, God’s gift to Solomon was exclusive to him.
I, however, tend to lean in the other direction and say that we have the same availability to receive what Solomon received if we would but seek and believe! I believe that when we, out of humility and faith, desire the wisdom of God above anything we would choose for ourselves then many other blessings will follow. (See Matthew 6:25-33) We may never have the monetary "wealth" of Solomon, but God's wealth of wisdom is actually of far greater value!
Would you like to see your life the way God does? To see it from the perspective by the One who created it sees it? You can. It is possible. It’s right in front of you. It’s called the Book of Proverbs. Each chapter describes life’s situations with real, solid solutions.
God knows what is best and is willing to share His mind and His heart with us. He has already shared His Son with us so that we can receive His Spirit, why not receive His mind as well?
Pastor J. T. Carnell.