“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.”
1 Kings 3:5
The God of the universe offers Solomon an enormous gift: “ask what you wish.” God Almighty, whose resources are completely unlimited, says in effect, “Solomon, what is your heart’s desire?” Imagine---having all the treasures of Heaven made available to you, and being told to ask for what you wish. What would you ask for?
I’ve been considering that question over the past several days. You see, Solomon and I have a lot in common (Don't laugh! Keep reading!). He was a king who had been handed the throne of an infant nation. Although Israel had come a long way in the years since taking possession of the Promised Land, there was still much that needed to be done to make it into a productive and cohesive whole. Military, administrative, financial, diplomatic, and religious problems stared him in the face, begging answers. I am sure he spent many days and nights thinking through possible solutions, keeping one, discarding another, trying to discern what was his best course of action. Maybe the question, “How am I going to do all this?”, crossed his mind. His responsibilities weighed heavily upon him. So many decisions to be made…none of them small…and he didn’t want to misstep.
For me, I find that in the “Bublitz Kingdom”, school days make for very hectic days. Administrative, financial, diplomatic, and religious obligations stare me in the face, begging answers (while I didn’t mention military, there are moments when my role as mediator between the Land of Lotti and the Nation of Nate sometimes force me to have to threaten military force!). Thinking through the list of myriad responsibilities that fall under each of those broad headings makes my head spin on the best of days, and crushes my spirit with its overwhelming demands on the worst. I have spent many days and nights over the past few weeks thinking through possible solutions, keeping one, discarding another, trying to discern what is my best course of action. I have asked many, many times during those days, “How am I going to do all this?” My responsibilities weigh heavily upon me. So many decisions to be made…none of them small…and I don’t want to misstep.
Like Solomon, I have gone to the Lord. And like Solomon, I find that my Lord says to me “ask what you wish” in John 14:14: “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” So, what do I ask for?
Just as there were many fine and reasonable things Solomon could have asked for (riches, long life, death of his enemies), I can think of many fine and reasonable things I could request: riches to pay for the mounting monetary demands of having a teenager and a pre-teen; death to the enemies who assail my gates (Interruptions, Squabbles, Misunderstandings, Worry, Impatience, Time Constraints, to name but a few!!); children who obey my every command the first time without grumbling or complaining (I can dream, can’t I???)….. When I first think about what I might ask for, I find that I tend to focus on the need of the moment (that death to my enemies thing is one I find myself requesting constantly from God!!). But if I follow my friend Solomon’s example, I remember another verse Jesus gave us: “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33). That’s exactly the way it worked for Solomon. When he sought God and His desires first, God took care of all those other issues. In seeking God’s wisdom, he requested something that would enable him to handle his adversity rather than simply being relieved of stress and trouble. And when I seek His wisdom, I find that He gives me another promise: “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without [Lit. does not reproach ] reproach, and it will be given to him.” Wow, talk about the treasures of Heaven….
Seeking the Heavenly Treasure of His Wisdom,
Sherri
