Wisdom and Joy

I realize I need wisdom beyond what these 28 years can afford me. Someone called this need to my attention, and I prayed for wisdom. The very next morning in my devotions, the Lord had me reading 1 Kings 3. This is where the Lord Himself told Solomon to ask Him for anything. Solomon asked for an understanding heart. I felt like the Lord was extending this same invitation to me. I spent a few days asking for wisdom. 

1 Kings 3:11-12

And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing...Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart.

I turned on the radio in the car the other night. An audio drama was on. I was driving about for about 30 seconds when one character quoted this verse: (James 1:5)

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Not only did God give Solomon wisdom, but He gave him riches and honor too. (He gave this to Solomon... not a promise to all of us who ask for wisdom!) God had blessed Solomon so very much. The Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon. She came to check it out for herself. One thing she was shocked by was how happy his servants were to work for him.

Truth is... when I read this, I thought, "I'm going to tell my kids this! They should be so happy to do their work for me and Tyler!" Buuuuuuuut, the Lord is so faithful to speak directly to me! He reminded me that He is a far better King than Solomon could ever hope to be. I get to serve Him! How blessed I should be to do all that He asks of me! The list of the King's servants included cupbearers. Do you even know the job of a cupbearer? He drank the King's drink first in case it had poison in it. Even HE did this gladly because he knew the king he was serving. 

Whatever the Lord has for us, we should do it with JOY. Not because the task is always fun or rewarding or even safe, but because we know the King we are serving. We can trust that anything He asks of us will not be more than we can handle, and it will always be for our good... if we love Him, and are called according to His purposes.

It's easy to do the fun things with joy. I'm SO blessed to sing Jesus Loves Me with a goofy dancing toddler, enjoy a first laugh with a teeny three month old, teach a three year old how to ride a big-girl-bike, play a good game of toilet tag with the faster-than-me 7 year old, listen to the 5 year old's imaginary ninja adventure.

It's the little bugging things that steal my joy. So when I change the16th diaper today, remind the same child 87 times to keep his hands to himself, struggle through that same list of first grade spelling words, pick up another 12 random Legos scattered around the house, and maybe even some heavier things He has planned for me to go through today,  I need to remember the King I serve. What a shame to serve the Perfect King of the Universe because I feel it is my duty in order to get to heaven. I GET to serve this Almighty God King, and it's an honor to do it with joy!

I know He will supply all my need according to His riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19) For me, this need includes wisdom. By trusting this King of mine, the burden that has the potential of being heavier than I could ever bear, becomes easy and light. I no longer carry it. PRAISE GOD! It's not up to me! If that doesn't make you want to jump up and do a Hallelujah dance, I don't know what will!

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy...

Ecclesiastes 2:26