LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil

Thursday, 16th July 2026

GROW IN UNDERSTANDING

SCRIPTURE READING 1 Kings 3:1-14

Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who can judge this great people of Yours?_ *1 Kings 3:9*

Whatever the Lord calls us to do, He can give us the capacity to do it. If we lack what it takes, He gives us what it takes.

When Solomon took over as king of Israel, he was very much aware of the enormity of the task. His father David had been a successful king. The nation was stable and prospering. Solomon's prayer request was centred on how he saw his mission as a king. Listen to him.

“Who can judge this great people of Yours?” That was Solomon's question to God. From the outset, he recognised the people as God's people. Israel was God's nation, and the people belonged to God. Though he was the king, Solomon did not see himself as the owner of the people. He saw himself as a steward of the people.

Because he saw himself as a steward of God's people, Solomon needed God's help to lead them. In his heart, he knew that no one could truly lead the nation by himself. A leader who knows what he lacks is the one who can build capacity. Those who think they have it all figured out settle for what they have and do not grow.

- Give me understanding.

Solomon wanted the Lord to give him depth. He wanted a depth that went deeper than age or education. Literally, he wanted the Lord to expand his ability to grasp the issues that would confront him as a leader. He was asking for a heart that would listen and be patient with all sides of an issue, and that could discern and judge the truth.

- That I may discern.

Solomon asked the Lord to give him the ability to make the right choices. He wanted a discerning heart, one that could understand issues and discern the truth — a heart that could judge between good and bad, right and wrong, truth and falsehood, righteousness and evil.

God gave Solomon wisdom beyond his age and experience. He is able to do the same for us. He knows where we fall short. When we seek the Lord to increase our capacity, He will do it for us.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, increase my capacity. Help me to grow higher, deeper, and wider in understanding. In Jesus' name, Amen.