Title: Solomon Gave
Memorize: Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; 1 Kings 8:22 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-10 (Nkjv)
[5] At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”
[6] And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
[7] Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.
[8] And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted.
[9] Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
[10] The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
Message:
Solomon’s story is an example of how sacrificial giving can give way to effective prayers.
His offering paved the way for an encounter with the Almighty God, as seen in today’s Bible reading.
It was amid the beautiful aroma of burnt offerings to the Lord that Solomon’s heart poured forth its deepest longings.
In response to his sacrificial giving, God granted him his request -a discerning heart endowed with divine wisdom.
Solomon’s story proves that your prayers can be amplified before God by your sacrificial living.
As you genuinely sow seeds of your time, resources, efforts, et cetera, you will make more roomn for heavenly abundance to flow because your prayers will ascend to God’s throne as Sweet incense.
My dear child, I once prayed for an earthshaking miracle to happen towards the building of our first auditorium, but I did not receive an answer from God until He told me to give Him a violent’ offering first.
God might not request a ‘violent’ offering from you before He blesses you, but He desires that you present yourself as a living sacrifice to Him every day (Romans 12:1-2).
Key Point:
Be a living sacrifice unto God.
HYMN 35: TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS
1 Tis so sweet to trust in
Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, “Thus saith the Him! Lord.”
Refrain
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him
How l’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
2 O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing Hood!
3 Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
4 I’m so glad I learn’d to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend,
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Bible In One Year: Nehemiah 11:1-12:26 1 Corinthians 10:14-33
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye