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THE K I NG ' S B U S I N E S S
“And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowl edge and of the fear of the Lord; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears; But with righteousness shall he judge the poor and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.“ Wisdom is the principal thing (Prov. 4:7)5 better than rubies or gold (Prov. 8:11; 16:6), but the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God (1 Cor. 3:19; James 3:15). The wisdom from above is (Jas. 1:17). “First pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to he entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.“ Solomon put first things first. He made heaven the center, not earth; eter nity, not time. His position,— that of humility; his petition,— definite. He sought unselfishly the best gift. (3) GOD’S RESPONSE, vs. 10-15. Solomon’s prayer pleased God. Why? Because the spirit of it was right; the basis of it was right; the request was right. Prom the human side, destiny hangs upon choice. Absalom wanted to be king and judge; chose in his own strength, wilfully. Solomon sought for his people; an unselfish choice. Because he sought for his people God gave to himself. God was pleased. Seeking the best, God adds the others. “ He that spared not His own Son, * * * how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). All are included in the best. Any Christian that puts bread and butter, earthly comforts, selfish enjoy ments, first,—will always lack the best things. “ Seek first the kingdom of God.” — God’s honor and glory, God’s will, God’s wisdom,— and the windows of Heaven will be opened. Whenever a man or woman seeks to be a blessing to others, 'God makes them such. “ If any man will come after me.” The channel of blessing through human lives to a lost world is through the crucifixion
of self. That is what the cross means. God was glad to respond and He gave to Solomon wisdom, wealth and worldly power. He gave what he asked and threw in the rest for good measure. “ He is able to do exceeding abundantly.” There was one condition, “Walk in wis dom’s ways.” The record of Solomon’s wisdom is found in Ch. 4:29-34. PRACTICAL POINTS. (1) Wisdom is the principal thing. (2) Is not the attitude of our Father, “ Ask what I shall give thee?” (3) Can you look God in the face and avow your choice? (4) It is God’s will for us that we should desire wisdom. (5) He is a wise man that knows the worth of wisdom. (6) “ Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” (7) Covet earnestly the best gifts. (8) God gave Solomon the wisdom he asked for, and the wealth he asked not for. m Ruling a nation without God is like Napoleon trying to conquer the ocean. Napoleon wishing to review his fleet, de sired Admiral Bruyes to change the position of his ships. Porseeing a storm was gathering, the LESSON admiral, respectful- CLLUSTKATIONS ly declined. B u t W. H. Pike Napoleon in a rage, peremptorily d e manded obedience. Vice-Admiral Magon obeyed the order. The threatened storm burst. Several sloops were wrecked and above 200 poor soldiers and sailors were plunged in the raging waves. The Em peror instantly ordered the boats out to the rescue. He was told no boat could live in such a sea. He then or dered a company of his grenadiers to man the boats, and as he sprang in ex-
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