Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
2 Samuel 12:25
12:25 And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.
Failure to Sense Need Leads to Presumption—
Solomon’s youth was illustrious, because he was connected with heaven, and made God his dependence and his strength. God had called him Jedidiah, which, interpreted, meant The Beloved of God. He had been the pride and hope of his father, and well beloved in the sight of his mother. He had been surrounded by every worldly advantage that could improve his education and increase his wisdom. But, on the other hand, the corruption of court life was calculated to lead him to love amusement and the gratification of his appetite. He never felt the want of means by which to gratify his desires, and never had need to exercise self-denial. {2BC 1023.7}
Notwithstanding all these objectionable surroundings, the character of Solomon was preserved in purity during his youth. God’s angel could talk with him in the night season; and the divine promise to give him understanding and judgment, and to fully qualify him for his responsible work, was faithfully kept. In the history of Solomon we have the assurance that God will do great things for those who love Him, who are obedient to His commandments, and trust in Him as their surety and strength. {2BC 1024.1}
Jedediah means Beloved of the LORD. Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father. In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream.
King Solomon felt his need of heavenly wisdom. When he failed to sense his need, he presumed on God’s mercy. He sacrificed in the high places to please his wives gods, and not his. When he returned to God, he received God’s favor. Solomon again consecrated his faculties to the service of God, bringing pure and holy happiness to himself and others. In the history of Solomon, we have the assurance that God will do great things for those who love Him, who are obedient to His commandments, and trust in Him as their surety and strength.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
We come into Your presence in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We thank You for blessing us with this day and every day You give us to commune with each other and with You. We thank You for giving us Your breath of life. We thank You for Your light and Your Word to live by. We thank You for the Holy Spirit. We pray for the continual outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us. We pray that You grant us Power, wisdom, and understanding as You did for Your servant Solomon. We pray for Your spirit to live and dwell within us, to lead us and guide us and keep us on a safe path. We are like little children that know not how to come in or go out. Please give us an understanding heart to discern between good and bad. We pray to be connected to heaven to be able to consecrate our faculties in doing Your service. We pray You speak to us, and that we hear, receive, and understand Your message to us to follow thee wherever You lead. We pray to honor and glorify Your name. It is in You we depend on and pray to receive Your strength. Help us not to be corrupted by this world. We pray You place a hedge of Your Holy angels around all of us. Please keep us safe and protected from Satan, his demons, and all the people and devices he uses. Help us not to fall for his deceptions. Help us not to be self-confident and presume on Your grace. We pray to always feel our need and dependence on You. We thank You for giving us the assurance that You will do great things for those who love You, who are obedient to Your commandments, and trust in You as their surety and strength. We pray we too are called Jedidiah, The Beloved of God. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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