The Need for Discernment – part 3
Commit to Memory: “Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:8-9 NIV
Discernment has always been the bail out to avoidable pitfalls for those that care to subscribe to it, little wonder the bible says you will hear a voice saying this is the way, walk theirin . (Isaiah 30:21). Are you always good at jumping at the enemy’s traps dressed as opportunities; imagine that the Children of men in Genesis 11;1-7 had inquired of the Lord; before they embarked on the project of building the city and tower of Babel – today’s world would have remained single in language. This was against the divine agenda the Lord had for multiplication, so even though it was an ambition that made them united, it was far from the vision God had for the world. It therefore follows that we must make it a point of duty to seek and thirst for the spirit of discernment and test every spirit before we submit to them so we don’t make a shipwreck of our lives. Little wonder, many people have gotten their fingers burnt embarking on several business transactions and projects without seeking divine approval leading to indebtedness and total loss.
In today’s commit to memory, here is a twelve years old young king Solomon. Its interesting that he asked the Lord to give him a discerning heart to govern His people and to distinguish between right and wrong. He just was able to perceive that this was the needful thing and a prerequisite for a successful reign, little wonder as the Lord granted his request as he became the wisest and wealthiest king in ancient Israel as he ruled and reigned over Israel for forty years and the Lord gave him peace and rest all these years.(1 kgs 5:4, 11:42). When you are discerning, you just would know what to do, Solomon puts it this way in Prov. 18:15 NIV
“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.”
Beloved, not every beautiful lady or handsome man that’s God’s desire and will for you in marriage. He or she may be rich, he might be royal like king Saul but once the Lord has rejected such a person, if you tie the knot then it’s going to be a high mountain to climb in that union. A classical example of discernment is that “not everyone that you see as a beggar that you must aid or help.” God might be dealing with such individual who has been promiscuous and wasteful and here you are wanting to disrupt the plan of God for such a person you see as a victim who actually God is teaching a lesson never to forget.
Always find out from the Lord before you go ahead in mercy. This is very important. Why? Only those that are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. This will save you regrets, loss of resources, tears and pains. I pray, the Lord by his spirit will give us the gift of discernment to take godly and right decisions at the cross roads of our lives in Jesus name.
Reflection: Review all the present projects you are about to embark and right away inquire of the Lord whether He’s behind it.
Prayer lines: Father in every area of my life, give me direction before a fall.