September 2, 2010 Ask For Wisdom

Scripture Reading:  PSALM 83; 1 CHRONICLES 29:23-25; 2 CHRONICLES 1:1; 1 KINGS 2:13-3:4; 2 CHRONICLES 1:2-6; 1 KINGS 3:5-15; 2 CHRONICLES 1:7-13

“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

After the throne of King Solomon had been established, the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Ask for whatever you want me to give you,” the Lord said to him. The God of creation, maker of heaven and earth appears to Solomon in a dream and says, “Ask.” Amazing. It’s worth noting that the Lord did not promise to agree to the request until after it was made. And still, of all the things Solomon could have asked for–wealth, honor, long life–he asked for wisdom.

According to the scriptures, this request pleased the Lord. He promised Solomon wisdom. And because he did not ask for those other, temporary, fading things–because the desire of his heart was the wisdom to govern–the Lord promised him riches and honor, saying that he would have “no equal among kings.”

What a lesson! Our hearts, so often pulled after the shiny baubles we see, must learn to be set upon higher things. Craving wealth and honor and even having the ability to attain them is not to be confused with wisdom. Even asking the Father for them will not guarantee receipt of all that we desire. But, if our hearts can learn to crave what God wants for us–heavenly wisdom–and we come to his feet and prayerfully ask for it, His word promises we will receive. Perhaps not the riches and honor God granted Solomon, but the wisdom to do what’s right. The wisdom to lead. The wisdom to live a life pleasing to God Himself.

When we truly desire wisdom, when it becomes a prayer in our heart and on our lips, we can be confident that the Lord desires to grant our request.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” –James 1:5