Praying for Wisdom?

This morning I read… King David, who’s has established a strong, stable kingdom, dies. He’s succeeded as king by his son Solomon.

God says, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you’. Solomon doesn’t ask for peace, wealth, a loving family, good health, or anything to do with His God and the temple he’s building for Him.

He says, ‘Give me wisdom and knowledge that I may lead this people…’

‘Give me wisdom.’ It’s a good, safe prayer…

Reflecting on yesterday’s conversations…

…Single mum Cathie has very little money, but wants to provide the best for her teenage daughter.

…Student Robbie’s found school extremely difficult. Sitting his exams this summer, he’s facing a new start at college in September.

…Elderly Jim’s in hospital. He has little mobility. Alterations are needed to his home. He’s unsure when he’ll return home from hospital.

…Working mum Emma’s son has never been easy. He’s just finished college. He says he’s taking a ‘year out’ at home, supported by his parents…

Cathie, Robbie, Jim and Emma each need wisdom… Perhaps they’ll pray…

Yesterday was Ascension Day. Christians throughout the world will have remembered… Jesus says his final words… He’s ‘taken up’, disappearing in a cloud… the disciples are left, looking into the empty sky… two men, dressed in white, appear and talk to them.

If it was up to me and my wisdom I would never have Jesus ending his life on earth like that.

But if it was up to me and my wisdom I wouldn’t have chosen… Jesus’ virgin birth in the back of beyond witnessed by a few shepherds… Herod killing all the baby boys… Jesus’ unjust trial, criminal death, bloody suffering… resurrection?

The prophet Isaiah quotes God: ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways’. St Paul says, ‘The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom.’

Whatever fragments of human wisdom I may have accumulated, they’re miles away from God’s wisdom… Maybe the prayer for God’s wisdom isn’t so safe.