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“I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in….Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people” (1 Kings 3:7,9).
These words were spoken by a young king named Solomon, who was less than twenty years of age. His coming to the throne followed major confusion in Israel. His brother Adonijah wanted to be king and was put to death. Then Joab, his father’s army captain, turned traitor, and he too was killed. Abiathar, the priest of long-standing, had to be taken from his position. And of course, Solomon’s coming to the throne was on the death of his beloved father, King David.
That was a lot to happen to a teenager, just anointed king! But the Lord appears to him in a dream and asks what he would like to be given. He humbly recognizes that he is weak, and just asks for wisdom to govern God’s people. We all know how abundantly this request was granted, and Solomon received so very much more.
Today, “self-confidence” is promoted as such a desirable character trait. However, confidence in God and His power and love is a better basis on which to build. We will then carry ourselves as “sons of God.” That is confidence without the “self”!
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