Can You Solve Troublesome Problems?
From Pastor Shemalya King
“Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” 1 King 3:9
It is HARD to solve troublesome problems where there are no witnesses. It's hard to merely lead people, especially large groups of people.
Have you been given a leadership position that is daunting? Are there many moving parts and a large group of people? Are you fairly young? Maybe you're not young, but the task is still daunting.
If you think you have problems, try being anointed king when you're still a young child (1 Kings 3:7). Solomon was made king over a people that could not be counted for the greatness of their number (1 Kings 3:8). He DIDN'T HAVE the wisdom to be king at the time. He couldn't discern between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9). And he didn't have the former king to properly transition him into that position–he was dead.
My husband and I have 10 children (I gave birth to EVERY one of them). That alone was daunting, but try discerning the shenanigans that young children and teenagers try to pull-off. Try leading them in the right way while juggling other tasks and commitments in the same season. I'm NOT complaining! Our children have been our greatest joy in good and bad times, but I've felt quite ignorant many times. Thank God for testimonies like Solomon's.
Solomon had a dream where God said to him, “Ask what I shall give you” 1 Kings 3:5. Solomon knew what he needed–it was a “no-brainer.” He asked God for a discerning heart to discern between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9). God was impressed with Solomon's request. Solomon was a great leader, because he asked for the very thing it takes to properly lead people. He didn't ask for wealth or a long life. He was a leader, and he needed the ability to lead.
Shortly after God granted his desire, Solomon was given his first “test.” Two harlots who lived together had babies during the same time. One rolled over on her baby and killed it accidentally. She didn't want to be without a baby, so she put her dead baby in the bosom of the other harlot while she was sleeping and took the living baby to bed with her and went back to sleep. When the morning came, the woman with the dead baby went to nurse it and found that the dead baby was not hers. The two harlots started quarreling.
This matter was brought before the king. There were no witnesses. It was one harlot's word against the other. But, Solomon had become wise by divine Impartation. After listening to them quarrel, each saying the same thing, he asked for a sword to cut the live baby in half and give a portion to each. The real mother spoke up passionately, saying, “My lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it” 1 Kings 3:26. The other harlot said, “Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it” 1 Kings 3:26. By this, Solomon knew that the baby belonged to the mother who was willing to save its life. (Read 1 Kings 3:4-28.)
It can be virtually impossible to solve troublesome problems. If you are in a position that is intimidating and the work seems like it's more than you can bear, try asking God for wisdom. You might not know that He's given it to you until you have to use it, and it ACTUALLY works. He will give it to you.
