When Solomon started out as a young king of Israel, he prayed a prayer that so pleased God that the Lord gave him much more than he asked for.
That prayer is still a model for us today.
As our pastor said last Sunday, it is a prayer that is humble, unselfish and aimed at benefiting others more than himself.
In 1 Kings 3, God appears to Solomon in a dream and makes an astounding request: "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"
Why did God approach the young king in this way? As the writer of 1 Kings said a few verses before, the Lord already knew that Solomon loved him - at least, at that time. He knew Solomon's heart.
Solomon responds by saying that "I am like a little child that doesn't know his way around". Right away he puts aside all kingly pride and admits his vulnerability and dependence on God.
Then, he adds: "Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?"
Solomon did not ask for more money, more pleasures, more foreign conquests, more personal glory. He asked for wisdom to be a good ruler of his people.
God is so pleased with Solomon's response that he says he will make Solomon the wisest man who ever lived.
"And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!"
God followed through with his promise as he always does. Solomon's wisdom became known throughout the known world - and his power and personal glory spread.
His prayer was unselfish. He wanted to be a wise and understanding ruler, working for the good of his people.
What can we draw from this?
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said that we are to "seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need".
Often, my first thought is for myself and my needs - not for God and others. God wants to deal with my needs and it is not wrong to ask him. He wants to hear our requests.
But nothing pleases him so much as to seek what the Lord wants and the good of others. As Solomon found out, he promises to fulfill our other needs at the same time.
Unfortunately, Solomon was human and allowed himself in later years to be diverted from worshiping God. But God kept his promises to Solomon. The king of Israel remained wise and his power and glory was sustained until his death many years later.
May we, who belong to Jesus, follow the example of that early prayer by the young king.
That prayer is still a model for us today.
As our pastor said last Sunday, it is a prayer that is humble, unselfish and aimed at benefiting others more than himself.
In 1 Kings 3, God appears to Solomon in a dream and makes an astounding request: "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"
Why did God approach the young king in this way? As the writer of 1 Kings said a few verses before, the Lord already knew that Solomon loved him - at least, at that time. He knew Solomon's heart.
Solomon responds by saying that "I am like a little child that doesn't know his way around". Right away he puts aside all kingly pride and admits his vulnerability and dependence on God.
Then, he adds: "Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?"
Solomon did not ask for more money, more pleasures, more foreign conquests, more personal glory. He asked for wisdom to be a good ruler of his people.
God is so pleased with Solomon's response that he says he will make Solomon the wisest man who ever lived.
"And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!"
God followed through with his promise as he always does. Solomon's wisdom became known throughout the known world - and his power and personal glory spread.
His prayer was unselfish. He wanted to be a wise and understanding ruler, working for the good of his people.
What can we draw from this?
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said that we are to "seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need".
Often, my first thought is for myself and my needs - not for God and others. God wants to deal with my needs and it is not wrong to ask him. He wants to hear our requests.
But nothing pleases him so much as to seek what the Lord wants and the good of others. As Solomon found out, he promises to fulfill our other needs at the same time.
Unfortunately, Solomon was human and allowed himself in later years to be diverted from worshiping God. But God kept his promises to Solomon. The king of Israel remained wise and his power and glory was sustained until his death many years later.
May we, who belong to Jesus, follow the example of that early prayer by the young king.
No comments:
Post a Comment