My family and I saw Shazam
last night and I loved it! A brighter and more light-hearted addition to the DC
cinematic universe, Shazam spotlights a troubled teenager named Billy Batson,
an aloof and angry orphan who bounces around from one foster family to another
until he winds up with the Vasquezes, a loving couple with several other
adopted children. Although Billy struggles to fit in, his new family begins
growing on him. While trying to protect one of his foster brothers, Billy leads
some bullies on a chase through downtown Philadelphia. After seeking safety in
a subway car, Billy is suddenly whisked away to the Rock of Eternity where he
meets an ancient and powerful wizard. Seeing
the boy’s potential, the Wizard selects Billy to become his champion,
Shazam! Whenever Billy utters the magic
word, shazam, he instantly transforms into an adult with amazing superpowers.
The name Shazam is an acronym indicating the source of
Billy’s magical powers. SHAZAM stands for the wisdom of Solomon, the strength
of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles,
and the speed of Mercury. While this is certainly an impressive roster of
powerful mythological heroes, only one of them is a real, historical figure—Solomon.
Compared to the power of Zeus and strength of Hercules, the
wisdom of Solomon might not seem so impressive, but it may just be Shazam’s
most valuable superpower. In an issue of Action Comics, an ancient Egyptian
goddess threatens to unleash a plague of frogs on Metropolis. When Superman is at a loss to combat this
magical menace, Shazam comes to the rescue. As the heroes fly into the fray,
Superman questions, “This is part of a plan?” Shazam replies, “Solomon always
has a plan.” Once the two heroes encounter the Egyptian frog goddess, Heqt,
rather than engage in battle, Shazam begins negotiating with her. Superman
watches in awe. “Armed with the wisdom of Solomon,” Superman thinks, “a teenage
boy in the body of a man defends humankind to the goddess of all frogs. I can’t
think of anything more ludicrous.” But as the deliberation continues, Shazam
eloquently explains humanity’s needs and weaknesses. He also listens and
empathizes until Heqt feels heard and appeased. In the end, Shazam triumphs without
throwing a single superpowered punch. Wisdom prevailed where physical force
failed.
As Shazam demonstrates, wisdom is the ability to apply
knowledge and experience to everyday life. Wisdom helps us make good decisions
and life choices. Wisdom can prevent difficult situations from developing or
getting worse. Wise living generally leads to greater peace, success, and joy.
The Bible says, “Wisdom is more precious than rubies” (Proverbs 3:15 NLT).
King Solomon became a living legend because he recognized
the value of wisdom. Soon after Solomon became king of Israel, God appeared to
him and offered to grant one request: “What do you want? Ask, and I will give
it to you!” (2 Chronicles 1:7 NLT). Solomon could have asked for
anything—limitless wealth, unrivaled power, anything imaginable. Instead,
Solomon asked for wisdom, the wisdom to lead God’s people. So, God granted his
request. The Bible says, “God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding,
and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom
exceeded that of all the wise men of the East and the wise men of Egypt… And
kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of
Solomon.” (1 Kings 4:29-34 NLT).
You and I will never have the speed of Mercury or the
stamina of Atlas, but wisdom is one superpower we can possess. In fact, the
Bible encourages us to seek wisdom the same way Solomon did—by asking for it.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all
without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5 NIV).
Additionally, Solomon wrote page after page of proverbs intended to impart
wisdom. He wrote, “Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser”
(Proverbs 1:5 NLT). Through prayer and the patient study of Proverbs (along
with other books of the Bible), you and I can attain the wisdom of Solomon just
like Shazam, and you don’t even have to meet a mystical wizard or say a magic
word!
My new book, The Holy Heroes Devotional, officially releases today on Good Friday--commemorating the day that Jesus became the world's greatest hero!
