"I give you a heart so wise and understanding that there has never been anyone like you up to now, and after you there will come no one to equal you." 1 Kings 12

Humility will get you everyplace and everything with God. Though Solomon is very young and anxious about how to serve God as King, he does know that despite his father David's faults, David was faithful to God and God was faithful to David. With that as his foundation, Solomon is secure and hopeful about how to be king, and remarkably, because God sees and acknowledges Solomon's humility, God tells Solomon to ask for anything he needs. Solomon does not hesitate in asking, not for increased wealth and power, but wisdom to lead God's people well.

Because Solomon remembers that the people do not belong to him as King, but to God, God grants Solomon's request for wisdom and gives him increased wealth besides.  The key to Solomon's wisdom is never to forget, even as King, that he is a servant to God and the people, and because he acts on this conviction, his reign is long and powerful.

Though Solomon will also struggle to listen to God at the end of his life, today we focus on his humility as a path we also must take. When we remember who are and live in dependence upon God for direction and wisdom, our lives are rich and rewarding. Only when we take ourselves too seriously and refuse to listen to the insights of others, do we lose our way.

Today, listen to someone else's faith journey.