“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