Weekly Devotion: 1 King3: 6~12

Solomon's Prayer

Then Solomon said, "You have shown great loving kindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" It was pleasing in the sight of the LORD that Solomon had asked this things. God said to him, "Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for yourself, not have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you.

Dear heavenly father, it is my 21st birthday! Thank you for being close to me more than ever for you heard your servant's cry and prayer. My relationship with you grew more than ever, and it would have not been possible without you holding my heart.

For my 21st birthday, I want to ask you a specific gift. Though you know what my heart is seeking and wanting, I want to put into words so that I can take it back and forth to know my heart.

I ask for wisdom. I want to have a discerning heart to understand justice. It is important to me so that I could live a life as a righteous person. It will not only find favor from you but also will make my heart glad. What kind of son would not want to make his father glad?

Since I was born, you have been my shepherd. You tested and guided me in the darkness. In the darkness, I saw you. I remember how you took care the poor. Indeed, my heart was weak and poor, and I was living in a desert where was water-less.

But I never gave up to hope that you are alive. Though I complained about my life, it would have been talking to a wall if I did not believe that you are alive. I cried days to days for I felt the lack of your presence. The darkness blinded me and the overwhelming despair came into my heart.

This tough time is engraved in my heart.. I wish I get to know more of you; therefore, I will depend all on you for the right timing, and I believe that you will deliver me. This is my faith and belief, and my Lord, you will never fail me.