Soooooo tell me what you want, what you really really want!

By Monique Smith

Spice girls? Yea. Sorry. Anyways.

1 King 3: 7-14

Let’s dig in.

In summary, God came to King Solomon in a dream and asked him what he wanted of God. Solomon proceeds by giving thanks and praises to God for everything He has already done and for the position he has placed him in. With that being said, Solomon also acknowledges his lack of experience in leadership and knows that he has been placed in charge of numerous people. So what does Solomon ask for from God? “…give your servant an obedient heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil…” (v.9). What follows next is simply amazing, but when we’re talking about God, what isn’t?

(v.10-14) “So God said to him, because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to understand justice, I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again”

(((……..But wait folks it doesn’t stop there…….)))

“IN ADDITION, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no man in any kingdom will be your equal during your entire life.

IF

you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commands just as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”

When I first read this passage, I honestly put myself in the text. With my job, I have leadership over a BUNCH of students and now even more leadership as a coach. Many times I find myself at church during alter prayers, speechless and thoughtless. Because many times I honestly did not know what to ask for. I’m not saying that everything in my life is all peachy cream, but I’ve gotten to a place where I just want God because I have so much already and have received so many blessings. I’m not sure how I got to the point of saying that…..ohhhh yes I do. I used to be OVERWHELMINGLY ungrateful and now I continually work on being thankful for everything and not getting more than I need most times. Anyways, I was extremely blessed when I saw the reward that Solomon received for his selfless request of the Lord. He got what he asked for and MORE. This passages demonstrates and witnesses to Ephesians 3:20, “....[God] is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think”! How cool! BUT all of this is contingent, yet again on walking in the way of the Lord. Without doing that, you get zilch. Nada.

Prayer: Lord! YOU are so so so so so so so loving! You are so beautiful! Give us selfless hearts. Let us become third Lord! You first, other’s second, and I’m third. This is our prayer. In Jesus name!