“Jesus is Enough”


BIBLE READING: 1Kings 3-5

We live in a world where we are constantly told that we are enough. You see it all over social media. You hear you have within you everything you need to succeed in life. However, the Christian mindset should be the complete opposite. You do not have within you everything you need to be successful at life. If you were enough, then Jesus died for nothing, and the cross is pointless. Jesus is the only one who is enough, and is the only one who could ever live up to what a successful life should look like. We will always miss the mark. We will always fall short. But thanks be to God that Jesus is enough. Through Him, and Him alone, we can do what God has called us to. Through Him, we can find true peace and meaning in our lives. If we look for fulfillment in anything else but Him, we will never find it. If we look for affirmation from anyone else, we will never be filled. If we look for recognition from anyone else, we will never be complete. It is only through Jesus that we find any of these things. It is through the life of Solomon that we see this mindset in action. When God comes to Solomon in a dream and asks what He can give him, Solomon comes with a humble mindset and asks for the following:
“You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” 1 Kings 3:6-9
Solomon was able to recognize the gift that had been entrusted to him. He knew that the task in front of him was a huge responsibility. He was following in the footsteps of his Father who had been called a man after God’s own heart. But instead of looking inward, he looks upward. Solomon knew he would never have what it takes to be able to do what God had called him to. Solomon would never be enough for the task at hand. He says, “I do not know how to go out or come in.” He was willing to admit his inability. Then, he asks for the greatest gift he could think of, “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil.” He knew if he was to be successful at what he was called to do, it would be impossible without the Creator of all things. Solomon looked to the only source of success, the only place of true understanding, the only reason why we are even called. Solomon understood that apart from the Source he would never amount to anything.                                                                                                                -Selected


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Colors of Christmas: Green

  Discussion:                                    Evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and winter wouldn't last forever! The Romans would exchange evergreen branches during January as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid-winter festivals. In many parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, “paradise plays” were performed, often on Christmas Eve. They told Bible stories to people who couldn't read. “The Paradise Tree” in the Garden of Eden in the play was normally a pine tree with red apples tied to it. Today, think about the newness of life we have because we are in Christ. The old man could represent the dark winter and the barren trees. Then think of the bright Christmas trees that are so easily seen! … Help brighten someone’s life this week! Inform
Read more

“Blow-out in Boston”

BIBLE READING: Luke 14 DISCUSSION                                                                                       Boston Globe's account in June 1990 of a most unusual wedding banquet… Accompanied by her fiancé, a woman went to the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Boston and ordered the meal. The two of them poured over the menu, made selections of china and silver, and pointed to pictures of the flower arrangements they liked. They both had expensive taste, and the bill came to $13,000. After leaving a check for half that amount as down payment, the couple went home to flip through books of wedding announcements. The day the announcements were supposed to hit the mailbox, the groom got cold feet. "I'm just not sure," he said. "It's a big commitment. Let's think about this a little longer." When his angry fiancé returned to the Hyatt to cancel the banquet, the manager could not have been more understanding. However, concerning the refund, she h
Read more

“Is there Joy in your Heart?”

  DISCUSSION:                              There are so many things going on in this world today that it is easy to let worry have more room in our heart than happiness. In the medical world, we are constantly being reminded of the preventive medicine we need. Unlike 60 years ago when health only entered our minds when we got sick, today we are told continually of so much that can happen to our health if we don’t have this test run, take this pill, or get this shot to prevent some type of virus infecting us. If you allow it, you can give this too much attention. Of course, it is important to have good health. As we get older it really seems to get a lot more of our attention. Don’t let worry about your health take your eyes off the cross. The words of God given wisdom from Solomon in Proverbs 4, we see that a physically healthy heart is important, but to keep focused on good things to keep our spiritual heart clean and healthy. There is no medical test in place to make sure we are
Read more