“In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” (2 Chr. 1:7-10). What would you honestly ask for if you had not read the verses above and God promised you anything your heart desires?
Solomon was the second son of king David and Bathsheba. The road to his being crowned king was not without its difficulties, though. A conspiracy by his half-brother, Adonijah, and Joab, a general of David, meant that he had to have them killed in order to secure his throne. It is there where our story begins. Instead of asking for riches and glory, victory over his enemies, or even health, Solomon asks for something much more useful for a king to be successful. Most people would be tempted to ask for the things he did not. They think money, health, and power will give them security and freedom, and while that is not impossible, it is improbable that only those will lead to a full, comfortable, and worry-free life. It is precisely those things that rob a person of their dependency on God.
Just look at the trajectory of the western world since the 19th century. As medical advances led to longer lives and economic policies meant discernably more wealth, God was relegated to the back seat and then kicked out of the car altogether. Who needs God when you have everything your heart desires, right? Solomon did the unthinkable and asked only for wisdom. What, he could have had anything, and he only asked for wisdom? “Whoopie-do, good luck with that,” some may say, but if they gave it some serious thought, they would understand why. You see, with wisdom, you will know how to make money, live healthily, control your desires, and use all you have for the betterment of yourself and those around you. Without it, you have a probability of squandering it in the future.
Just think of how many people have earned a fortune and then lost it, or how many have won millions in a lottery and died penniless because of a lack of wisdom. Money does not ensure good decisions, and neither does health guarantee longevity. Solomon understood the value of what he was asking for, and God was so impressed that he was given an abundance of it. 2 Chr. 1:11-12, “God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”
If you want God to give you what you ask for, ask what is according to His will, and you will receive it (1 John 5:14). But, a word of warning. Even wisdom, when not used consistently and faithfully, can lead you down a precarious path in life – one which could put your very soul in jeopardy. Solomon had all the wisdom and subsequent success, but his carnal desires drove him to do things contrary to God’s will. He succumbed to the temptations of lesser men and allowed lust and greed to dictate his path. Instead of worshipping God, he built altars to foreign gods in Jerusalem. The lesson is simple. Keep striving to do what is good because even the wisdom of God is not a guarantee that you will remain faithful, obedient, and happy. Job did not die lost, but his blessings were removed and never returned.
Remember the words of 1 Cor. 10:31 and do everything to the glory of God and remember the source of everything that is good. Jam. 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights….” Don’t use God’s gifts to glorify the evil one. Use them wisely and resist the temptations that come along with them. The devil is always trying to find ways to harm you, even more so with the good things you have received, so be careful. Remember, you could follow the path of Job and may still be welcomed back by God if you are repentant, but that which was given to you may well be taken away.
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