God’s extraordinary offer to Solomon challenges us to consider how we ourselves might respond. Solomon’s bases his answer on three assessments: of God, of his father David, and of himself. Ultimately, his request for wisdom – for, literally, a “hearing heart” – doesn’t prioritize his own needs, but the common good of God’s people whom he is called to lead. This godly choice can only come from a clear vision of God’s generous, patient, forbearing love, which we experience most fully through trust in Jesus.
A Listening Mind
The Rise and Fall of King Solomon
January 9, 2022 • 1 Kings 3:1–15
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The Rise and Fall of King Solomon
The Once and Final King
April 10, 2022 • Psalm 72
Psalm 72 offers a template for godly leadership, measured in terms of flourishing, compassion and worship. Solomon’s own record as a king was mixed, but Jesus’s record is perfect. Palm Sunday celebrates his triumphal entry into Jerusalem as our humble king, who is then crowned with thorns, lifted onto the cross, raised from the grave, and ascended to the right hand of the Father. This “coronation” of Jesus effects a seismic shift in God’s pattern of relating to the world: not through a human king of a single nation, but through the Spirit working in all of his people throughout the nations, as prophets priests and kings. With Jesus as our king, we are both liberated from ruling our own lives and also empowered to be princes and princes who reflect his character in the world.
Death and Praxis
April 3, 2022 • Walter Henegar • Ecclesiastes 12
The inevitability of death should change the way we live, but not in the predictable ways we might think. Three popular temptations are variations on the YOLO theme (You Only Live Once): YOLO nihilism, YOLO hedonism, and YOLO moralism. Ecclesiastes teaches instead that we always live before the face of God, whether alive or dead. This confidence in his character is what enables us to trust him as our Creator, Uncreator, and Recreator; as our Wise Shepherd and Just Lawgiver, as our Judge and Savior in the person of Jesus. With this trust in Jesus' finished work, we can enjoy God's gifts in this life, trust him through the trials of aging, and have firm hope in his promises of eternal life in his presence.
His Hidden Hand
March 27, 2022 • Jason Kriaski • Psalm 127
We can rest knowing that God's hidden hand is always at work in our work and in our relationships. It takes a lot out of us to do good work and to keep what we love safe. But it will only be worth the effort if we're trusting that our Heavenly Father is active all along the way, and it's not all up to us. And having your own family is a good thing, but it's not the best thing. The best thing is being God's beloved now and forever, which only comes by faith in Christ.