I have a question I want to pose to you as we begin the new year.

How did Solomon become so wise, and how can you and I be wise, as well, in 2011?

Let me take you first to Luke 11:31, which says, “Something greater than Solomon is here.” This, of course, is talking about when the Lord Jesus Christ came, wore our flesh, walked on our earth, slept in our beds, and ate our food. 

After Jesus had lived, died, and risen again, He sent out His personality into the hearts of men and women…His Holy Spirit. He sent Himself into the hearts of those who would receive Him.

Solomon chose to respond to the relationship that God was offering him…and to love God back. It’s a question of choice, whether we will accept and receive His love. That is the starting point of wisdom.

The second is that Solomon behaved his belief! He showed his love for the Lord by doing something — walking according to the statutes of his father, David. He didn’t just talk love, he didn’t just sing love, and he didn’t just go to church and look as though he loved God. He showed that he loved God by the life that he lived. He behaved his belief!

But there’s a third thing we learn from Solomon on how to gain wisdom. It is found in verse 9 of 1 Kings 3 when he responds to God’s offer to give him whatever he asks, and Solomon asks for a discerning heart.

After you have begun to behave your belief…as you’re growing in God and in your knowledge of Him…then you need to, moment by moment, every day of your life, pray the prayer of Solomon, “Give me wisdom. Lord, give me wisdom!”

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