A Hearing Heart

Some weeks you face a decision that someone who trusts you will have to live with, and you do not know enough to choose well. More research will not settle it, because the facts are in and they point both ways.

Solomon had just been handed a whole country when God came to him in a dream and said, "Ask what I shall give thee." Solomon begins by admitting he is out of his depth: "I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in." Then he makes his request. The King James Version prints "an understanding heart," but the Hebrew says a hearing heart. Solomon is asking for a heart that listens and takes in what is really there before it makes a ruling.

He also says what he wants it for, and that is the part people usually leave out: "to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad." The request pleases God, and He says to Solomon, "thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies."

The same chapter tests the gift straight away. Two women come to the king with one living baby, and each says she is its mother. There are no witnesses, and nobody can appeal the king's ruling. Solomon listens, and he finds the truth. The book is honest about the end of his life as well: "his wives turned away his heart after other gods." The gift was real, and still it did not guard Solomon from himself.

The same offer is open to you, in almost the same shape: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." To upbraid someone is to scold them, so God will not scold you or bring up how you handled the last decision. Before you ask Him to tell you what to do, ask Him for a hearing heart. Ask it for the person your decision will land on, by name. He gives generously, and He is pleased to be asked.

Daily Manna runs on a two-year cycle. The year one reading for day 46 is Shall Not Want (Psalm 23:1).

All 365 readings in Daily Manna, Year Two