Praying for a Discerning Heart

Reflection

It doesn’t take a scientist to tell us that fire is hot. If I touch a hot pan, I will get burned. That’s common sense. Still, there have been times when I wasn’t wise enough to act with caution. Like skipping the pot holder and grabbing a hot pan with a damp towel just because it was close by. Sure enough, I got burned.

That kind of reaction is tied to natural wisdom. It comes from observation, experience, and cause and effect. But Solomon understood that what he needed most was wisdom and discernment from God. Not just street smarts or life experience, but a divine ability to see what the eye can’t. He asked God for a heart that could judge rightly and discern between what was truly good and what was truly evil.

That kind of wisdom cannot come from schooling. It doesn’t always come from age or experience either. It is a gift from God, and it’s available to anyone who asks with a sincere heart. Solomon wasn’t asking so he could look important. He asked so he could serve well.

In your life today, there are situations where your own reasoning will fall short. You may face decisions that have no clear answer. You may deal with people who test your patience or circumstances that test your character. In those moments, remember that God offers wisdom freely to those who ask Him. He gives the discernment to act with clarity, to judge with mercy, and to walk with understanding. All we have to do is ask.