FAITH CAPSULE: Understanding is the way to know God.

1 Kings 3

When understanding is not in man, wisdom shall not be in place for man while knowledge to have edge over challenges becomes short in the journey of life. Concerning understanding, the word of God speaks to all stating, “For My people are foolish, they have not known Me. They are silly children, and they have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.”(Jeremiah 4:22) Obviously, lack of understanding is the evidence of foolishness and not knowing God. Foolishness is like a garment over the life of one with no understanding. Psalmist 14:1-3 said it better, “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, no, not one.” Understanding is crucial for man to navigate the journey of life to the expected end.
Jesus realized the issue of understanding when He questioned and He answered stating, “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.” (John 8:43) The word of Jesus pointed it out that listening disability is the key of lack of understanding. Are you listening to the word of God to gain understanding? Are you one that spends time in the word of God instead of skimming through the word of God in the bible?
What are you asking from God? Is it the challenges in your journey of life that occupies the center of your request from God?  Jesus is able to meet our need when He told us not to worry about our life. Jesus made us to know that worrying cannot add one cubit to our stature. (Matthew 6:25-34) In life, we should ask God for understanding more than other things.
Solomon specifically asked for understanding when he spoke to God in 1 Kings 3:9 stating, “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge…” Solomon’s request for understanding from God provoked God to add more than expectation to Solomon as stated, “…because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.” (1 Kings 3:11-12) In your asking, let God know that understanding is your desire and He will deposit more than your expectation.

Prayer for today: Ask God for understanding.