Advancements in AI, quantum physics and computing, and all the revolutionary features arriving now and in the near future will catapult life as we know it into a realm we’ve only heretofore known or suspected as attributes of God.

The promises of customized cancer cures, solutions to homelessness and hunger worldwide, and countless other social ills are beyond numerous.

That God created us in his image supposes that perfection was his desire for us until such time we rebelled and sin entered through events of the garden.

AI, quantum sciences, and remarkable achievements may propel humanity toward solutions and perfections originally intended for us at creation, but can never account for the element of independent human will which always produces imperfections and thus, without surrender and salvation, the chasm between God and unreconciled man.

Corruption in the heart of man precluded perfection once, and will do so again.

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore, greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

He was wiser than anyone else and his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. People came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world.

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭4‬:‭29‬-‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Wisdom reaches much further than intellect. Wisdom embodies principles, values and morals with all their nuances within its proclamations, all programmed in by the mind and heart of a loving God.

Consequences of rule by a wise and principled leader is a peaceful and satisfied kingdom which Solomon had created and enjoyed.

We pray for our own leaders to manifest and exercise the wisdom of Solomon and to prize wisdom far above wealth, honor and fame.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.—1Timothy 2:1-2

I’m at the front of the line?

Not so long ago I was playing softball, riding bikes and buying far more wedding gifts than sympathy cards.

Then both parents died within a couple years of one another suddenly leaving me in grasp of the eldest branch of my family tree, unprepared and at more of my own doctor visits than walks in the park.

I started being more careful climbing ladders and taking fewer risks and chances with the advancing march of mortality.

It all came more clearly into view and way sooner than expected.
And I wasn’t alone.

Out for coffee conversation with peers and friends became more talk of empty nests, punctuated by pill counts and nagging pains like nomads that shift and move with the weather or for no reason at all.

When did I move to the front of the line where the old people used to stand?

You can’t even take a number here anymore.

I suppose they just call when the luck runs out and yours is up. 

Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Given a choice, Solomon chose wisdom over wealth, justice or long life.

The gift of godly discernment trumps all others as it recognizes the ways of God as righteous. Wealth and longevity are both finite but to know and put in place the will of God promises infinite outcomes.

So many today seek money, fame and beauty over gifts that are timeless and of much greater benefit to others.

Wisdom and discernment are guarantor gifts.

They aren’t dependent on circumstances. They transcend all conditions and situations, never subject to our human nature or judgement of right or wrong.

As Solomon soon discovered, from choosing wisdom, all other gifts are bestowed.

Pray to put in place things that will really matter for years to come.

A man named Sheba son of Bikri, from the hill country of Ephraim, has lifted up his hand against the king, against David. Hand over this one man, and I’ll withdraw from the city.” The woman said to Joab, “His head will be thrown to you from the wall.” Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bikri and threw it to Joab.
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭20‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬
Disputes recorded in the Old Testament weren’t all resolved with civility.
It was a rough time to be alive.
Religion and worship was so central to human existence it demanded payment of the ultimate price of thousands at a time, each tribe with fervent belief they were doing the bidding of the god they served.
To this day, some religious factions haven’t changed much.
Jesus Christ and his teachings were a game changer and many Christians were martyred for their faith and following while trying to persuade others of a better way.
Living for Christ not only marked a great personal transition but the transition of society to civility.
Belief became a judgment by God alone, reserved for his own timing either through resurrection or damnation, chosen by the decision of each person.
Acknowledgement that the battle is no longer against flesh and blood but in the spiritual realm against darkness and evil principalities permanently changed the playing field.
At stake are the same consequences but the building of bridges and relationships are now of primary importance in helping others to a life of faith and true righteousness.

David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭8‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Remembering the love and loyalty he once enjoyed with his best friend Jonathan, now deceased, he sought out Jonathan’s remaining son:

When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, “Mephibosheth!” “At your service,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.” Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?””

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Like being found the long lost heir to some overseas royal fortune, Mephi asks King David how this good fortune could have possibly come upon a nobody like him.

Unaware how much his father’s friendship long ago meant to King David, this bestowment would surely be like winning a lottery he never even knew existed.

The trajectory of his life and his family’s future would be forever changed because of his bloodline and a good king who was also once a nobody in need of a loyal friend.

Takeaway: We never really know what truly remarkable blessings are just around the corner, headed your way directed by the very hand of God by way of his servants.

Accept the gift.

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood.

In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.

And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ ”

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A fitting passage on the eve of this 47th US presidential inauguration.

Then they all came and urged David to eat something while it was still day; but David took an oath, saying, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I taste bread or anything else before the sun sets!

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I laughed aloud!

Though David was, in all seriousness, denying himself bread and food in lament over the loss of a fellow friend, shallow me found the passage stand-alone funny as I rarely deny myself food and have this body as evidence.

I’m not proud of my lack of self control.

However, I am pleased that God cared enough to initially send me an important message through my love language: humor.

Self-denial is not my strong suit.

However, under threat of God dealing with me like David “ever so severely,” my weakness quickly got real.

My health has taken a huge rap for my routine of poor diet and exercise, and while I don’t believe God has punished me for it, he has let natural consequences result in obesity, diabetes, and heart disease which together or alone are destined to take my life sooner than later without a serious change of habit.

Takeaway: God speaks to our sin in ways we understand best. For me, it was humor which quickly turned deadpan.

Today begins my four-day weekend and an excellent opportunity to start some better self-care habits.

Sounds like he might want me around here longer than I expected.

In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.

The Lord said, “Go up.”

David asked, “Where shall I go?”

“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Like you, so many of my days have been spent asking for God’s direction in my life.

Praying, pining, and pleading, even creating a private decision matrix to determine if it was God answering or if I needed to spend more time on my knees for the answer.

Never have I ever simply asked and heard his answer, even moreso, including specifics as David did in this passage.

The difference?

God is good. His desire is for us to live and thrive.

David knew and acted upon this premise of prayer. He didn’t overthink or second guess himself nor God.

These days, that still small voice of the Holy Spirit is crowded out competing with the noise and distractions of this world.

David lived a simple life wholly dependent on God for his own existence and survival. Noise, distractions and interruptions were few.

The enemy is the mind’s noisemaker.

Psalm 20:4 and Psalm 37:4: “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart”

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed”

And in the New Testament, Matthew 6:8: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him”

God’s will and direction is not a shell game.

Simplify, ask, and trust that God has only your best interests and intentions at heart.

God answered David: “Hebron.”

“Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah.

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

For David, the formula turned out great!