If God were to Ask us….
Put yourself in Solomon’s shoes (or bed for the sake of this story) in 2 Chronicles 1:7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!”
What would we ask for?
Depending on which environment we’re sitting when asked this question is what would shape our answer. For example, if we were in Church we’d TOTALLY answer just like Solomon. But if we were at the kitchen table late one night wondering how this and that bill were going to be paid……..our answer might be different.
Don’t fret. Don’t feel guilty for entertaining the idea of riches and health granted by the Creator of the Universe. It’s something we’ve all thrown around in our imagination from one point to another. It is not too late to ask for wisdom!
That’s right, we’ve got another chance to ask for wisdom. We’ve been afforded an opportunity to ask God for His wisdom and He will grant it to us. James 1:55If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. Simple as that – ask for it.
However…… (and that is a BIG However…….), James offers a warning along with this amazing promise in the verse following: 1:6 – 7 6But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.7Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
I think a better question to ask is this: Do we really want the wisdom God is ready to give us? We pondered that a little bit in yesterday’s sermon (06/03/19). Many will claim to want it… few will actually go to the steps to gain it. When we ask God for His wisdom – we are asking for what God wants, what God sees, what God hears, what God does to happen in our world.
That means generosity, mercy, compassion, living at peace with each other, not squabbling over minutia, forgiving wrongs without being asked, not holding grudges, seeking HIS kingdom first not our own, etc… etc… God’s wisdom come with God’s perspectives. God’s wisdom comes with God’s priorities.
Remember how hard it was for Solomon, wisest of all humans to walk this earth, to keep things on track? He fell into temptation with lust, idolatry, and wealth. THAT guy made the right choice the FIRST TIME!!! And he still messed up. Imagine the struggle we will continually find ourselves in trying to match our wills to God’s.
However (and this is another BIG however), that cannot stop us from asking and seeking and knocking. Tripping once is no excuse to stop walking. God is more than willing to share His wisdom with us…. Do we really want it?