Wisdom for the Asking

The beginning of King Solomon's reign is chronicled in 2Chronicles 1. There we find that God appears to Solomon one night and asks Solomon "what I shall give you?" v.7. Solomon hits the prayer nail on the head when he asks for "...wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?" v.10.

Note WHY this was such a great prayer and why it was fully answered +:

• Solomon humbly recognized that he did NOT have the resources needed for this great task IN HIMSELF. He was king, after all! But he was also a young man, without the experience of his father David, and this was indeed a vast people. The reservoir of wisdom needed to guide and judge the people of God was vast indeed. He was charged to lead the people in strict accordance with the Law of God. Humble people PRAY.
• Solomon also recognized that the resources he needed WERE to be found in God. So...he asks for them. This is the ongoing battle of the spiritual life: WHO does have what I need and WHO doesn't? Solomon wisely recognized that only God can supply what is needed for God's work.
• Solomon's request is NOT selfish, it is centered on GOD'S interests: His covenant people. Solomon recognized that Israel was GOD's people, v.10. "If we ask anything according to His will, he hears us" 1John 5:14. When we align ourselves with God's interests, we will have one answered prayer after another.

God answers Solomon's request and then more: he makes him the richest, most famous man of all time. Why? Because a man/woman who cares first of all for God's kingdom and not to build his own kingdom can be trusted with the stuff of this world as well as spiritual riches.

So...what are YOU asking for? James says that "you ask and do not receive because you ask with selfish motives" James 4:3. For the work that God has called YOU to, are you asking:

• For wisdom and knowledge to do it God's way, according to His Word?
• That God will become famous through your work?
• That God will keep you seeking all the resources you need for your work from HIM?

If God can trust you with the work He's given to you, if He can trust you to do it in constant dependence on His resources, He will trust you with more. He will give you even what you have NOT asked for.

If the task seems as vast as the sand on the seashore, then that measure of wisdom and knowledge and resources will be given...and more.