We are getting close to the Santa Season. Christmas lights and Christmas trees are appearing in more and more houses around town. Because of the season we are approaching, there will be more and more kids (big ones too) filling out their “wish list” and asking for things. So, this makes me ask the question, what is on your wishlist? Or another way to put it is, what are you asking the “Big Guy” for? No, not Santa…God!!!
What really got me thinking about this particular question, and asking myself this question is that just the other morning I read a story in the Old Testament (1 Kings 3) in which Solomon makes a big ask of God. Now to give you a bit of background, Solomon is one of the sons of David, the great king of Israel. As David was nearing death, he passed the leadership mantle (to be the next king) on to Solomon.
Solomon, like his father David, loved the Lord and did his best to follow or live within the commands and the laws of God. God obviously noticed how Solomon was trying to follow in his father’s footsteps regarding faithfulness. The story tells us that one day Solomon was worshiping God and offering sacrifices at one of the holy or “high places.” This was early on in Solomon’s reign before the temple had been built, but worshiping and looking to God was certainly a good way for a new and young king to make his start.
God appeared to Solomon in a dream while Solomon was at this holy place and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give to you.” In other words, God was basically saying, “I’m granting you one wish. Ask me for anything and I’ll give it to you.” Wow!! What an opportunity. If you were in Solomon’s shoes, what would you ask for? The possibilities are overwhelming. You could ask for good health and a long life. You could ask for unmeasurable wealth. You could request ultimate power. You could ask for a stress-free life. You could ask for all your enemies to be swept away.
I’m sure Solomon thought about his response for a bit, but then he responded to God with humbleness. Solomon wasn’t all puffed up because he was a somebody…the chosen king of Israel. No, part of Solomon’s response was, “I am only a child and do not know how to carry out my duties.” Then Solomon recognized that it was really God that was in charge, not him. And finally, Solomon made the big ask. He asked for a discerning heart to govern the people and to distinguish between right and wrong. That was it. That was his big ask. You can hear some people today saying, “Solomon, ya really blew that one!”
But what God said next was amazing. God responded to Solomon by saying, “Since you have asked for this (discernment) and not for long life, wealth, or for the death of your enemies, I will give you wisdom and these things you haven’t asked for, wealth and great honor. “ To this day, Solomon is considered the wisest and wealthiest king that Israel ever had.
So, once again, I’ll ask the question, what are you asking for? What are you seeking to give you guidance and direction in this journey of life and faith? May we each learn from Solomon and ask for the things of greater value and not that which is only temporary. Of course, it’s important to remember that when God answers these kinds of requests, I believe the answer is usually not fulfilled in one immediate moment, but rather it is fulfilled over a lifetime of seeking the wisdom, the discernment, and the loving spirit that only God can provide. So, go ahead, make your list! Make your ask! Just keep in mind the spirit and the way Solomon made his request. It wasn’t self-centered…it was focused on leading and living a God-centered life.
Pastor Keith