The Grenada sentinel., 1903-07-11

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jITYl tNlE fed most striking
IN ly their truth and
III (|xxHeN meaning. Take
4 " your Bibles and
read the third
CHAPTER of I Kings Solomon has just
been called to rule over the Jewish ma
lion in the room Of David his father.
Among the first acts of his reign ne
seeks the Lord in sacrifice and worship
at Gibeon. The testimony OF God's
Word in the third verse OF the cnapter
Ia that Solomon loved the Lord, Walk
ing in the statutes of David his fatner'
and it is with the deepest reverence ana
devotion that this young king recoe-
nizes Gods claims upon him ana MS
need of and dependence upon Goo'
With lavish hand the king makes MS
offerings before the Lord. Ihe SMOKE
of a thousand burnt offerings ascenoeu
from the multitude of affairs erec'eo
there. The priests and the Levites nave
heen kept busy in preparing the nocKs
of lambs. and the droves of cattle TOT
fhe sacrifice. All the nation knows OF
the religious devotions OF the ne" N1hs,
and thousands have gathered from all
over the kingdom to share In the cere-
monies What a revival season was
that for Solomon and the nation! Inc
hearts of all arequickenedan and God draws
verv near unto them. He always does
when the soul stea1fastly sets itself to
geek the Lord. And in the stiffness OF
the night watches during this great ma
tional religious celebration, Goa ap-
pears to Solomon in dream. Ana the
words of the Lord and the reply or Sol
omon indicate the burden which was
upon the heart of the young ruler. Inc
new and great responsibilities require
Increased wisdom and abilities. He dld
not have the words OF our text 10 ao
monish and encourage him. out MS
heart was open towards God and ne 1elt
the need of more than human help II
was then that God cane to him. 1t is
at such times that the Lord always
comes. The words 'if any of you lack
wisdom" imply a condition similar to
that which we find prevailing In the ne
of Solomon at this time-responslolil-
ties incurred. modesty in measuring
personal abilities, consciousness OF Inc
need of Divine assistance.
A r the very outset we wish to dispe
n any thought or impression which
may prevail that this visit of the Lore
to Solomon, His request that he asl
of Him his hearts desire, and the g1t
of great wisdom in response to thu
expression of the wish, are OF such
supernatural character as to partake
the nature of a fairy tale. Such col
oring could be and has been given to th1
Bible story. 1t is fascinating to thinl
of having the privilege of one wish an
then being suddenly and miraculousl,
endowed with the thing wished for. Blu
such are not the facts in this story be
fore us, I believe; and there is nothin
in the experience of Solomon at Gtbeo
which may not have it's reproduction +
the life of everyone. The words of ou
text are for all, and they find their fu]
realization in this experience of Solo
mon. This story has always had 1t
fascination for children and for olde
ones, too, but its practical value ha
been largely lost because superficial
and supernaturally considered. Sole
mon was not one of those specially ia
vored individuals to- whom chanC
brought the golden opportunity of e,
pressing a wish, and then the magi
wand being waved above him-prest'
change!-he was quickly transfoEme
from an ordinary mortal to one e1
dowed with superhuman wisdom. TIL:
is not the way God operates. Solomo
sought God with all his heart. and tt
Lord revealed to him the privilege whic
the soul always has when in accord wit
the will of God, that of asking and r
ceiving Or. as our text declares: 6
any of you lack wisdom, let him az
of God, that giveth to all men liberal
and upbraideth not; and it shall
given him."
T HESE words Of James are not II
| tended to imply that there are tho.
who do not lack wisdom, and wi
therefore do not need that wisdom whit
comes from above. No man has ev
yet lived who has not needed Divine d
rection and help in the proper condu
and administration of human affair
whether they involved the responsibil
ties of a kingdom or only those Of &
work bench In the shop or the care
the modest, humble home. But rath
does our text refer to the one who b
wakened to a sense Of that lack of wi
dom which has previously existed. r
sponsibilities In greater or less degr
come to everyone. Modesty In measu
ing personal abilities In coping wi
those responsibilities, and recosnitf.
Of the need Of Divine wisdom and hel
are the lessons which this incident
the life Of Solomon should teach m. i
us then consider our text under the 4
lowing heads: The need f wisdod
The source OF wisdom: The request
wisdom; the gift Of wisdom: Tho e,
dence of wisdom; and. The in11uence
wisdom. -. -.