Hi friends,
Today’s lectionary readings included Psalm 101, 1 Kings 3:16-28, and Acts 6:1-7.
As I meditated on them, I noticed a common theme: gaining wisdom for the sake of justice.
I want to examine each of these passages in detail, then see how they point us to Jesus and, ultimately, notice how they bring purpose to our lives and churches.
Psalm 101:
I will sing of loyalty and of justice;
to you, O Lord, I will sing.
I will study the way that is blameless.
When shall I attain it?
The psalmist’s longing for justice and blamelessness echoes in the hearts of many today. In a world marred by inequality, corruption, and systemic injustice, we, too, cry out, “When shall we attain it?” Every news source reveals a constant stream of wickedness gaining the upper hand.
But this psalm, known as the prayer of an “ideal believer” (Gerstenberger, cited in NICOT), challenges us to pursue justice not as a distant ideal but as a daily practice.
Unless we start our days in God’s presence, resolving to lead with integrity, courage, and wisdom, how will we find the strength to do what is right when we feel the pressure to look the other way?
1 Kings 3:16-28
The story of Solomon’s judgment in 1 Kings 3:16-28 famously demonstrates applied wisdom. Two women each claim to be the mother of a child. Solomon’s proposed solution—to cut the living child in two—seems shockingly unjust at first glance!
Yet, his cunning approach reveals that he deeply understood human nature and maternal love.
Solomon’s approach wasn’t about the rigid application of the law but a means of discerning the truth through a profound understanding of the human heart.
Instead of doing what was “right,” he chose a surprising route to ensure the rightful mother ended up with her son.
Acts 6:1-7
As the early church exploded in numbers, the apostles couldn’t keep up with the daily food distribution. So they announce:
“Therefore, friends, select from among yourselves seven men of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task, while we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.”
This passage reminds us, again, that wisdom and justice aren’t abstract concepts but must be applied in practical, everyday situations. The church could easily divide if its food distribution system favored the Hellenists or the Hebrews - and how would this reflect on the gospel?
How do our churches decide who gets support - and who doesn’t? How do we help our community without creating dependency? How do we evaluate who leads these ministries?
We need leaders like Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus. These leaders were known for their wisdom and desire to act with justice and mercy. We need church leaders like the apostles - those committed to meeting the needs of the poor.
In each situation, God is glorified, God’s people develop, and God’s community gains a good reputation:
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The psalmist’s prayer becomes a model for believers.
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After Solomon used his wisdom for justice, “All Israel…stood in awe of the king.”
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In Acts 6, after the church dedicated wise men to care for the poor, “The word of God continued to spread; the number of the disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.”
These were challenging decisions to make. And they didn’t always have positive outcomes.
Solomon eventually grew complacent and turned away from God. The early church multiplied — and faced intense persecution. Many have prayed Psalm 101 but not put it into practice.
Most importantly, at its core, the partnership of wisdom and justice reflects God’s character. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God reveals to us, "I am the LORD, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. " (Jeremiah 9:24).
So when we pursue wisdom for the sake of justice, we’re participating in God’s divine life, aligning our hearts with His.
Ultimately, this theme points us to Christ, who is described as the one who “who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).
In Jesus, we see divine wisdom perfectly applied to the ultimate act of justice—reconciling sinful humanity to a holy God.
Who would have guessed that an Incarnate God would die on the cross to reconcile us to him? Only the supreme wisdom of God could have developed this plan!
Like the psalmist, may we commit to studying “the way that is blameless.”
Like Solomon, may we seek wisdom that gets to the heart of complex issues.
Like the early church, may we apply that wisdom practically to bring justice, unity, and growth to our communities.
Our pursuit of wisdom and justice is not just a moral imperative, but how we imitate God, shown to us by Jesus, and applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Some questions:
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How can we gain God’s wisdom for our daily lives?
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Where do you see injustice in your community, and how can you study how to address it?
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What does it look like for a church to use God’s wisdom to act with justice?