‘I am about to go the way of all the earth,’ he said, ‘So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go …
1 Kings 2:2-3 (NIV)
When David knew he was dying he gave his son, Solomon, some advice. He could have given Solomon so much advice about how to be a good king, how to rule justly and fairly, or even how not to fall into the sins he himself had fallen into. However, David told Solomon firstly to be strong and to act like a man. This might seem obvious as David knew that grief can debilitate and when he died Solomon would need to quickly take over reins as king. Additionally, Solomon would need to deal wisely with his brother, Adonijah, who had set himself up as king during David’s old age. As king, Solomon would also have to take decisions that might prove unpopular with the population. For all these reasons David’s advice was sound.
David doesn’t stop there but goes on to tell Solomon to observe what the Lord God requires. David knew that God had promised him that his descendants would be blessed in their reign if they remained faithful to God.
When you need advice about a decision you have to make in life, the starting place for guidance is God. Sometimes we can think we know the way God is leading us and in this situation the advice of an older mature Christian can help us confirm what God has been asking us to do. So don’t be afraid to take advice – the key isn’t to rely on human wisdom, but God’s. Only use human advice to confirm what you have discovered of God’s will through reading his Word and in prayer.
Every blessing
No Condemnation 