Parental Wisdom (Sermon: 1 Kings 3:16-28)

The story in 1 Kings 3:16-28 shows the love of a mother and the wisdom of a king, but in addition to love, mothers (and fathers) need wisdom as well. Ask any parent with a few years experience and they will tell you that parenting involves countless situations for which no one has ever coached you. There is no book or website that provides the magical solution to this minute's new dilemma. Instead, you--the parent--must use wisdom.


Solomon was incredibly wise. In fact, he was the wisest person on the earth during his time (1 Kings 4:29-34). What parent would not love to have his wisdom? Well, you can! Maybe not to the extent that Solomon had, but you can have wisdom that surpasses human intellect. Solomon's wisdom came from the Lord (1 Kings 3:6-9). All wisdom comes from the Lord and in His Word He has promised that He will give wisdom to anyone who comes in faith and asks: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5).

There is another verse in James that may explain why some of us can be so unwise at times: "You do not have, because you do not ask" (James 4:2). The choir at Dorsett Shoals often sings a song entitled, "All Your Promises Are True." If we believe the title of that song, then why don't we claim the promises of God more in our lives. God has promised to give us wisdom, if only we would ask. Whether you are a parent or not, why not ask the Lord today to give you the wisdom you need to be faithful in every situation in which He has placed you?