"That night, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, 'Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
Wow...can you imagine? What an opportunity! What a blessing!!
So what would you ask for?
Most people, if they're honest, would probably ask for money or a better job or good health. How do I know? Well that's what we always pray about isn't it? And prayer is a time of asking God for things as well as praising Him. So, if God manifested in a powerful, visible way, why would we "change our tune" and ask for something else?
But should we change how we pray? Should we ask for other things instead?
Solomon was not a typical guy--nor was he a typical leader at this point in his life. What did he ask for? Verses 8-9 tell us...
"Solomon answered God, 'You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place...Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
The end result is that God now only gives him wisdom, he gives him all the other stuff he DIDN'T ask for as a bonus. It's like the Matt. 6:33 promise that "all these things" will be added if we seek the right things first. My point in all this is simple--try asking God for what matters most. In this crazy, mixed-up, chaotic world we live in, it would be GREAT to have a bunch of people being granted the spiritual gift of wisdom. I know I need more, so if you're not going ask for yourself--ask for me so that I can do a better job of leading MPC. (Is that selfish--maybe, but ask anyway OK?)
And may our loving, gracious God grant your requests, bringing more blessings than the selfish pursuit of the physical ever could!
In Jesus,
Pastor Joel