Joyful Ruins

Written Feb. 2019

I am reflecting this morning on Solomon and God’s interaction in 2 Chronicles 1. This is the passage famously known because God allows Solomon to ask for anything.  Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge to govern the people. God is so pleased with what Solomon chose, He grants him that and more.

This reminds me of the promise constantly stated in the Bible,  that when we ask, we will receive:

John 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

It is important to point out that in these instances, we receive what we ask for because first, our hearts are right with God and our desires are Godly.

In Solomon’s example, he could have asked for riches or power, but he chose a selfless and Godly request. He chose out of his desire to honor God, not others.

And God says, “since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth and possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you King, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given to you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor.”

God responds by giving him his request and more on top of that. I do believe God rewards us, but I also know He works in a way we don’t understand.

I also believe that if we are seeking His desires, asking for something in line with His will and not our flesh’s will, He will give it to us and then some. He knows when our heart is right, abiding in Him, He can trust us with more. Whereas, if we are asking out of selfishness or the wrong motives or simply for things not in His will, then He can not trust us with very much. He has to teach us.