Daily Devotions
What It Means to Be a Man
Reading for April 12th: 1 Kings 1-2
And now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in.
1 Kings 3:7
What does it mean to be a man?
Our culture tells us that a real man is self-confident. He is a problem solver. He is sure of himself. He has all the answers.
But that kind of man is described as a fool in the Bible (Proverbs 29:20; James 1:19). The Bible elevates the one who has no confidence in self (Proverbs 3:5-8; Jeremiah 10:23).
After confessing self-doubt in this prayer, Solomon prays for wisdom (1 Kings 3:9). What he may not have realized at the time is that his prayer was being answered as he prayed. Solomon would later write, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..." (Proverbs 1:7).
Wisdom starts where self ends. We cannot listen to God if we think we have all the answers. The second half of that proverb says, "but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7).
So read your Bible today, and if you happen to read something that offends you, get over it. Be silent and listen to God. He is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few (Ecclesiastes 5:2).
God of wisdom, we are little children before you. We do not know how to go out or to come in. Speak to us Lord. Your servants are listening.
