"And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the Lord, which was at the tabernacle of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?”
And Solomon said to God: “You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”
Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king— wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” (2 Chronicles 1:6-12)
Imagine...Solomon...the wisest man who ever lived...the son of the greatest king who ever lived...was given a choice. What would you desire more than anything else in the world...and Solomon chose wisdom that he might rule the people of God rightly. He could have asked for anything...but he chose the very thing he needed most of all in order to serve God most effectively...he sought wisdom.
I wonder...if I were given the choice of anything I could ask for...what would it be? Would I ask for wisdom? Would I ask for great wealth? Would I ask for fame and power?
When Peter's life was in danger, he asked for boldness so that he could preach the Gospel more effectively to the unbelievers..."Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30) And Paul also, when he was writing to the church at Ephesus wrote, "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:18-20)
The thing that amazes me is that these men had already been preaching and had often been persecuted for the sake of the Gospel, and their only desire was for more boldness so that they could be even more effective for the Kingdom of God.
If God offered me anything I desired...I don't know...I would hope that my heart would be as pure as these great men and that I would make the right choice...one that would "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness." (Matthew 6:33) I hope that I would make the right choice...one that would be so pleasing to my Father that He would grant me everything I needed to fulfill His purpose for my life on this earth. What about you? What would you ask for?
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