Tag Archives: Solomon

Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

Building Life on a Foundation You can Trust

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Every builder knows the foundation matters. A beautiful house may look impressive from the outside, but if its foundation is weak, cracks will eventually appear. The same is true of our lives. The decisions we make, the values we hold, and the direction we choose all need a foundation strong enough to withstand life’s challenges. Scripture tells us that foundation is found in true wisdom.

As David neared the end of his life, he placed Solomon on the throne as Israel’s next king. David’s final charge to his son was simple yet profound: observe all of the Lord’s commands. According to David, this is where success is found. In following the Lord, Solomon would discover true wisdom and the stability that comes with it.

Psalm 111:10 says, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.” This wisdom is not merely knowledge or intelligence. It is a way of living that is rooted in a relationship with God and expressed through obedience to Him.

Psalm 111 reflects on the many ways God has proven Himself faithful:

  • Verse 4 reminds us that the Lord is gracious and merciful.
  • Verse 5 tells us He provides for our needs.
  • Verse 6 recalls His power at work on behalf of His people.
  • Verse 9 points us to the ransom He has paid for us. Jesus echoed this truth in Mark 10 when He said, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.”
  • Verse 9 also reminds us that God has guaranteed His covenant with us.

The psalmist then declares, “All he has done is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity” (Psalm 111:7-8).

Justice, goodness, and trustworthiness are found in true wisdom because they are found in God Himself. When we build our lives on His wisdom, we are building on a foundation that will never fail.

So how can we live this out today?

Start by spending a few moments each morning acknowledging God and seeking His guidance. True wisdom begins with a reverent awareness of who He is. Before making decisions, ask yourself whether your choice aligns with what God has already revealed in His Word. Wisdom grows through obedience, not simply through gaining more information.

Take time to reflect on God’s faithfulness in your life. Consider keeping a journal of answered prayers, unexpected provisions, and moments when God carried you through difficult circumstances. Looking back often strengthens our trust moving forward.

Practice integrity in your daily interactions. Be honest in your conversations, fair in your dealings, and willing to do what is right even when it is inconvenient. If God’s works are just and good, those qualities should become evident in our lives as well.

When worries arise, choose trust over control. Bring your concerns to the Lord in prayer and place them in His hands. The God who has faithfully guided His people throughout history is still guiding His people today.

Finally, make it a habit to notice God’s goodness. At the end of the day, reflect on a few ways you saw His provision, mercy, or faithfulness. The more we recognize His hand at work, the more confident we become in His wisdom.

Take a moment today to reflect on how the Lord has proven Himself. Not only throughout history, but also in your own life. How has His justice, goodness, and trustworthiness shown up in your story? As you remember His faithfulness, your trust in Him will grow. And as your trust grows, you’ll find yourself building more and more of your life on the solid foundation of true wisdom.

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

5 Tips for Building a Firm Foundation

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Firm foundations survive storms.

There seems to be no shortage of storms in the world right now. Glance at the headlines, and you will soon discover storms coming at us from all directions. COVID19, personal safety being at risk, and the like are causing storms. While it may be a particularly stormy time, storms are nothing new to life.

Proverbs suggests we build our lives on a firm foundation to survive these storms. Solomon writes in 10:25, “When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the Godly have a lasting foundation.”

How do we build this foundation?

  • Develop a relationship with the Lord by spending time in the Bible.
  • Seek wisdom through prayer.
  • Search the Scriptures for answers to life’s questions.
  • Always strive to do what is right.

Building on this foundation is not easy, but it is worth the effort involved. Jesus tells a parable of two builders. The first builder did not take the time to dig through the sand to place his home on a rock foundation, while the second builder dug through the sand to rest his home on a rock foundation. A storm came, and flood waters rose. The first house was swept away, but the second house stood, unmoved by the tumultuous waters.

As we are weathering a stormy time, how firm is your foundation? Do you need to allow the Lord to add stability?

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

The Wisest Conclusion

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The conclusion of the wisest man.

The Bible records Solomon was the wisest man to ever live. Upon his request, Solomon was granted wisdom. God granted Solomon wisdom like no other.

1 Kings 4:29-34 says, “God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the east and the wise men of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else…. His fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations. He composed some 3,000 proverbs, and wrote 1,005 psalms. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants from the great Cedar of Lebanon to the tiny Hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals: birds, small creatures, and fish. And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.”

Solomon also had wealth, and he did not lack in provisions.

With his vast wisdom and provisions, Solomon examined the aspects of life. He looked at every path life could take. He tried to find fulfillment in partying and working hard. He tried to find fulfillment in himself and his wealth. He came to the conclusion everything was meaningless unless he pursued the Lord first and foremost.

Solomon writes his final conclusion at the end of Ecclesiastes. In 12:13, Solomon writes, “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thin whether good or bad.”

Take a moment to reflect on your priorities. How well do they align with Solomon’s conclusion?

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Bible Study, Christian Life, Devotional, Encouragement, Inspiration, Uncategorized

What is true wisdom?

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True wisdom is the foundation for success.

There is an ancient Indian legend of a king who loved Chess. He challenged visitors to a game, and he was usually victorious. One day a traveling sage visited the kingdom and was challenged to a game. To entice him to play, the king offered to gave the sage whatever reward he asked if he won. When the king was defeated, to honor his word, the king asked the sage what prize he would like. The sage asked for one grain of rice to place on the first square of the Chessboard, and then, that it be doubled on each following square.

The request seemed modest, and the king asked for a bag of rice to be brought. It soon became apparent the terms of the request were impossible to meet. By the 21st square, more than 1 million grains would be required; by the 31st square, the total would go over 1 billion, with more than half the Chessboard still left to go.

Small things have a big impact when they are added together. It is important that we seek God’s wisdom for every decision we make regardless of how small it seems to us. When we add to our wisdom and understanding, it grows stronger and stronger.

Getting God’s wisdom.

James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

The Bible records Solomon being able to ask for whatever he wanted, and he asked for wisdom to lead Israel. The Lord was so impressed by Solomon’s request that he granted it as well as all the others things he could have requested. Wisdom was the foundation for Solomon’s success. It is also the foundation for our success.

Wisdom is the foundation for success.

Ecclesiastes concludes wisdom is the foundation to everything else. Solomon writes in 12:13, “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commands. For this is everyone’s duty.”

Wisdom has a good look.

James 3:13 says, “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.” Wisdom is humble.

James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.

According to the IVP New Testament Commentary Series, “James is deliberate to state a foremost characteristic of the wisdom from above. It is first of all pure, and only then the other qualities. His term speaks of holiness and provides the immediate contrast to every evil practice. The first and foremost reason for valuing wisdom is that it will lead people to do what is morally right. Today’s popular relativism makes it all the more pressing Christians do what is right.”

Verses 17-18 go on, “It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Is true wisdom from above our guiding force? Are we allowing wisdom to guide our decisions? Will we do what is wise?

As we move forward in our lives, these are good questions to ask ourselves.