"The Best Choice" May 19 Readings: 1 Kings 3-4, John 4:1–19, Psalm 64:5–10, Proverbs 13:11-12

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Reading the Bible in 2023

Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. In reading four portions of God's word in a day, one of them is bound to speak to your life!

NOTE: if you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: 1 Kings 3-4, John 4:1–19, Psalm 64:5–10, Proverbs 13:11-12

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional:  The Best Choice

It wasn't a fictional genie in a bottle, but it was the real, living God from heaven. There were not three wishes to be spent frivolously, but one wish, granted by God. Solomon received one of the greatest blessings a man has ever received from God.
Ask what I shall give you. 1 Kings 3:5
He had options. Solomon could have asked for wealth beyond measure, for a life of ease and pleasure, for victory over his foes, and a peace that comes through conquering all. Anything he wanted. But Solomon made the right choice. He asked for discernment.
“And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but 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 many to be numbered or counted for multitude. 9 Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 1 Kings 3:7-9
He knew that the task God had given him was difficult and that he needed resources beyond his own abilities, so he asked for an obedient heart that would enable him to discern good and evil. He wanted the ability to discern good and evil so that he could make wise choices as he led the people of God.

Discernment is the ability to distinguish the right path from the wrong path. Wisdom is the strength to choose what is right. Solomon wanted discernment so he could walk in wisdom.

The irony is that through choosing the best thing, God gave him everything else as well. All of the other blessings he might have asked for were his, given by God, the only true source of every good thing. By choosing wisdom he received all of life's blessings.

When we seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, all these other things are added to us as well. When we seek the things of the world, we lose everything of eternal value. When we seek God, and God's wisdom, and the blessing that God's wisdom brings, we gain all things of real value.

Lord, may I always choose you and your ways - that which is best. Thank you for the blessings you give to me day by day when I do!

Consider God's Word:

Did one of these passages speak strongly to you today? Which one? 
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

If God gave you a choice like this, what would you ask for? (Be honest with yourself!)
How did Solomon's choice of discernment open him up to receiving other blessings in life?




 

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