1 Kings 3:11 (NKJV)
“Then God said to him: ‘Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,’”

There are things that are important but must not be set as the top priority on our list of priorities. That they are not at the top does not remove their importance. It simply means that they should not be our defining factor.

Only truly spiritual people understand the difference between importance and priority. There is a huge difference. Many people think that every important thing needs to be their top priority, but that should not be the case.

Our top priorities in life are things that precede everything else, things we cannot do without, things that will shape every other action. Important things are important, but they do not shape you or make you.

Solomon somehow understood this, and it reflected in his request to God, and God acknowledged it. There were many important things he could have asked for, but he bypassed them and focused on something that he knew would shape everything else.

Here are three important non-priorities: long life, riches, and victory over our enemies. Everybody wants each of these things, but these do not and should not define who we are or how we feel. They don’t describe our success or failure in life.

Let’s look at each of these closer.

It is possible to live a long life and be celebrated for living a long life, yet, in God’s book, your life did not align with His plans for you. It is possible to live a long life and spend it serving yourself and other earthly gods. Living a long life must not be our priority.

It is possible to have great wealth and have all that you need materially, and yet not have peace and joy, nor use your wealth for God’s purposes and agenda. Having great wealth is not a sign of God’s blessing, as many heathen and ungodly people also have it.

It is possible to overcome all your enemies and still live a self-centered, selfish life. It is possible to have no opposition around you and still not worship the God who granted you peace from your enemies.

Yes, the three items above are important prayer points, but they must not overshadow the most important prayer focus: living in God’s wisdom and discernment. Again, we repeat, these are important, but they must not be our life priorities.

Those who live in God’s wisdom may or may not have these three things, but they are surely better than those who have them without discernment and God’s wisdom.

@ChineduOranye
RestlessPilgrim.org