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Have an Understanding Heart, August 20
Being a God Neighbor
I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart.
1 Kings 3:12
Solomon in his youth made David’s choice his own. Above every
earthly good he asked of God a wise and understanding heart.... The
power of his understanding, the extent of his knowledge, the glory of his
reign, became the wonder of the world.
The name of Jehovah was greatly honored during the first part of
Solomon’s reign. The wisdom and righteousness revealed by the king
bore witness to all nations of the excellency of the attributes of the
God whom he served. For a time Israel was as the light of the world,
showing forth the greatness of Jehovah. Not in the surpassing wisdom,
the fabulous riches, the far-reaching power and fame that were his, lay
the real glory of Solomon’s early reign; but in the honor that he brought
to the name of the God of Israel through a wise use of the gifts of Heaven.
As the years went by and Solomon’s fame increased, he sought
to honor God by adding to his mental and spiritual strength and by
continuing to impart to others the blessings he received. None understood
better than he that it was through the favor of Jehovah that he had come
into possession of power and wisdom and understanding, and that these
gifts were bestowed that he might give to the world a knowledge of the
King of kings.
As the man is converted by the truth, the work of transformation of
character goes on. He has an increased measure of understanding, in
becoming a man of obedience to God. The mind and will of God become
His will, and by constantly looking to God for counsel, he becomes a
man of increased understanding. There is a general development of the
mind that is unreservedly placed under the guidance of the Spirit of God.
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