Pleasing in the Sight of the Lord

 In I Kings 3:9-10 the new King Solomon prayed something that pleased God. He did not ask for riches, military successes, peace under his rule, or to amass more power. He asked God for an understanding heart to discern between good and evil to lead the nation of Israel. That simple prayer pleased God. 

The word pleasing means God was glad and celebrated Solomon's petition. It makes me wonder if God is pleased with our prayers. Do we pray things that delight God? So many of our prayers can center on our needs, our burdens, our trials, and our wants. Solomon did not pray selfishly. He asked God in essence for wisdom to lead. That prayer came out of humility. 

Leaders choose to rely on their natural instincts, education, skill, and experience in leading organizations. I wonder how many humble themselves before God begging for an understanding heart to lead rightly and righteously. Probably not as many as we think. Have you heard of any leader making dictatorial decisions, bad errors in judgment, or making wrong choices that caused pain and upheaval? 

As a pastor of a local church, I know I cannot lead without God's help, guidance, and discernment to not choose good ideas, but to choose God ideas. Jesus is the Head of the church. I am just an under-shepherd leading in submission to Him. He alone has the right to lead His church as the rest of follow His directions. 

What a different world we would live if people in leadership positions from PTOs to the Whitehouse, and all points in between, prayed for understanding and discernment from God. God knows far better than any of us how to lead His church, communities and countries. Elites think they are smarter than God. Just look at our world and the evils abounding. Look at antagonist nations and arrogant leaders pushing their global agenda. It appears there are few leaders who really care about the people they serve. Petty politics has caused a government shutdown and hardworking common people are not getting paid because partisan policies. What if every branch of government prayed for God's wisdom to lead, legislate, and make judgments? This would be a very different nation with the hand of God's favor on us. If those leaders prayed in that fashion, I am sure God would be just as pleased as He was the day Solomon asked for understanding and discernment.