Good Decision Making
Good decision making is grounded by a close relationship with the Lord
1 Kings 3:3–4 AV
3 And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.
4 And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
Solomon Loved the Lord but the Lord loved Solomon first
2 Samuel 12:24 AV
24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.
The Lord loved us first too
1 John 4:19 AV
19 We love him, because he first loved us.
The love of God for us should awaken your love for him
Solomon demonstrated his love for the Lord
• traveled 7 miles
• sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings
• his heart and mind were focused on the Lord
The Question
1 Kings 3:5 AV
5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
The one asking the question is the Creator and Sustainer of everything
This is what you would call a blank check offered by the one who owns everything
What would you ask for?
• Health?
• Happiness?
• Popularity?
• Wealth?
• Destruction of your enemies?
Matthew 20:29–34 AV
29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
They received what they asked for
and that is all that they received
The Correct Response
1 Kings 3:6–9 AV
6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
God gives them this through the Scriptures (understanding)
Proverbs 3:5–6 AV
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
It was the correct response because
• understanding and wisdom will cover all of our needs
Psalm 19:7–11 AV
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
• Law – Converts the Soul
• Testimonies – gives wisdom to the simple
• Statutes – Rejoices the heart
• Commandments – gives you enlightenment
• Fear of the Lord – cleans you up
Scripture brings understanding
It was the correct response because
• It pleased the Lord
1 Kings 3:10 AV
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
He was thinking of others more than himself
James 4:3 AV
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
The Lord honored his request and so much more
1 Kings 3:12–13 AV
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
The Lord will always do more that we can even imagine
Ephesians 3:20 AV
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
There were only two possible responses to the Lord’s question
- Spiritual response
- wisdom and understanding
- Carnal response
- wants and desires
- like the blind men in Matthew 20
When you approach the Lord with the correct attitude
you will get what you need and so much more
