FRIDAY July 19, 2024
A Father’s Wise Counsel
Show yourself to be a man. Do what the Lord your God tells you. Walk in His ways. Keep all His Laws and His Word, by what is written in the Law of Moses. Then you will do well in all that you do....
1 Kings 2:2-3 NLV
Although King David had his failures as a father, in this instance, he did well. He desired to give his son wise counsel. Solomon would be the next King of Israel, and if he was to be successful, he needed to know the importance of obeying the Lord. He needed to rule righteously, following His precepts.
As a young man, Solomon sought God for His wisdom to rule the nation of Israel:
“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).
God answered Solomon’s humble prayer. He gave him a discerning heart and the ability to rule with justice and equity: “I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be” (1 Kings 3:1-15). His wisdom was matchless among men. God gave Solomon this promise: “And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life” (1 Kings 3:14 NIV).
Although Solomon also had his failings, as a father he gave his son wise advice: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).
As a father, give wise counsel to your children, but be a living example of a man who walks with God.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD.
~Psalm 1:1-2~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
