Tag: 1st Kings 1-4
What do you want from God?
Scripture Reading for April 3rd: 1st Kings 1-4
I often ask people who come to me for advice a simple question. If you could do anything you wanted, what would you do with your life? This question opens us up to many possibilities and helps us discern the true desires of our heart. If we have truly committed our way to the Lord and delight ourselves in Him, He tells us that He will give us the desires of our heart! (Psalm 37:4)
Newly crowned King Solomon had an encounter with the Lord. He had gone to Gibeon to sacrifice to the Lord and that day offered a thousand burnt offerings! Extravagant worship marked the life of this newly anointed king! That night as Solomon lay asleep, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.” (1st Kings 3:4-5) Solomon first thanked the Lord for his kindness to his father David in placing him on the throne. Then he confessed his need for God’s help in ruling His people. He asked for a discerning heart and wisdom to rule wisely. (1st Kings 3:7-9)
This pleased the Lord! Solomon was granted what he asked for and also given by grace what he did not ask for! God gave him riches and honor so that there would be no equal among kings of that time. (1st Kings 3:10-14) God’s Word has proved true in history in the life of this son of David!
What would you ask the Lord for today? Are you passionately worshiping the Lord each day–offering Him extravagant worship and thanksgiving for who He is and His great faithfulness? Would you ask for riches and honor or something physical? These things are fleeting and of no eternal value if you are not delighting yourself in the Lord and willing to offer Him what you currently have!
Jesus Christ has been made to us wisdom from God! (1st Corinthians 1:30) God is no respecter of persons! He offers us the same choice given to King Solomon. Ask today for what you want God to give you! Wisdom is found in Jesus Christ and a true walk with the wisest King of Kings who has ever been!
What do you want from God?
Scripture Reading for April 3: 1st Kings1-4
I often ask people who come to me for direction in their lives a simple question. If you could do anything you wanted, what would you do with your life? This question opens us up to many possibilities and helps us discern the true desires of our heart. If we have truly committed our way to the Lord and delight ourselves in Him, He tells us that He will give us the desires of our heart! (Psalm 37:4) We will want what He wants!
Newly crowned King Solomon had an encounter with the Lord. He had gone to Gibeon to sacrifice to the Lord and that day offered a thousand burnt offerings! Extravagant worship marked the life of this newly anointed king! That night as Solomon lay asleep, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1st Kings 3:4-5) Solomon first thanked the Lord for his kindness to his father David in placing him on the throne. Then he confessed his need for God’s help in ruling His people. He asked for a discerning heart and wisdom to rule wisely. (1st Kings 3:7-9)
This pleased the Lord! Solomon was granted what he asked for! God gave him riches and honor in addition so that there would be no equal among kings of that time. (1st Kings 3:10-14) God’s Word has proved true in history in the life of this son of David!
As we think about the question God asked Solomon, what would you ask the Lord for today? Many would ask for riches and honor first, thinking about what would make them personally happy. When you are a worshiper of the Lord, your focus on God brings His desires into your heart. When we see God’s greatness and understand His great plan of reaching the world, we ask for wisdom and anointing to complete our mission.
Jesus Christ has been made to us wisdom from God! (1st Corinthians 1:30) We are told that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God for it and He will give us liberally! (James 1:5-7) He encourages us to make the same choice King Solomon made. Wisdom is found in knowing Jesus Christ and daily drawing from His wisdom.
Give Me a Discerning Heart!
Scripture reading for April 3rd: 1st Kings 1-4
“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1st Kings 3:5)
“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1st Kings 3:9)
Solomon sacrificed a thousand burnt offerings at Gibeon as he took the throne of his father David. He knew that he needed God’s wisdom and favor to govern God’s people wisely. God appeared to him in a dream and gave him a blank check–he could ask for whatever he wanted! Solomon asked for a wise and discerning heart to administer justice! God was pleased and gave him what he desired as well as riches and honor.
Immediately after this, Solomon was tested with a difficult case. Two prostitutes came before the king arguing over their baby sons. One baby had died and his mother had tried to replace the dead son with the other mother’s live son. The king gave an order to bring a sword and cut the live baby in half. The real mother had compassion and wanted to give her son away to save his life. The other mother wanted to kill the baby. Solomon awarded the live baby to the compassionate mother and all Israel marveled at his wisdom. (1st Kings 3:15-28)
Solomon grew in wisdom and insight and had great understanding. He spoke 3000 proverbs and authored over a thousand songs. He was a scientist and understood plant and animal life. People from all over the world came to hear Solomon’s wisdom.
Solomon is a type of Jesus Christ. He is a son of David. He was humble when anointed to be king. He was the wisest man who ever lived, other than Jesus Christ. Scripture says that in Jesus Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3) We who have Christ as Savior have access to that wisdom for He was made unto us wisdom! (1st Corinthians 1:30) People from every tribe, tongue and nation are coming to Christ for wisdom and understanding!
Have you asked God for a discerning heart? Discernment is pleasing to God and so necessary in the day in which we live. This prayer is fully answered in a relationship with Jesus Christ!
What do you want from God?
Scripture Reading for April 3: 1st Kings1-4
I often ask people who come to me for advice on direction for their lives a simple question. If you could do anything you wanted, what would you do with your life? This question opens us up to many possibilities and helps us discern the true desires of our heart. If we have truly committed our way to the Lord and delight ourselves in Him, He tells us that He will give us the desires of our heart! (Psalm 37:4) We will want what He wants!
Newly crowned King Solomon had an encounter with the Lord. He had gone to Gibeon to sacrifice to the Lord and that day offered a thousand burnt offerings! Extravagant worship marked the life of this newly anointed king! That night as Solomon lay asleep, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1st Kings 3:4-5) Solomon first thanked the Lord for his kindness to his father David in placing him on the throne. Then he confessed his need for God’s help in ruling His people. He asked for a discerning heart and wisdom to rule wisely. (1st Kings 3:7-9)
This pleased the Lord! Solomon was granted what he asked for and also given by grace what he did not ask for! God gave him riches and honor so that there would be no equal among kings of that time. (1st Kings 3:10-14) God’s Word has proved true in history in the life of this son of David!
As we think about the question God asked Solomon, what would you ask the Lord for today? First, are you passionately worshiping the Lord each day–offering Him extravagant worship and thanksgiving for who He is and His great faithfulness? If you are not in love with the Lord, your heart will not be focused on doing His will. Would you ask for riches and honor or something physical? These things are fleeting and of no eternal value if you are not delighting yourself in the Lord and willing to offer Him what you currently have!
Jesus Christ has been made to us wisdom from God! (1st Corinthians 1:30) We are told that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God for it and He will give us liberally! (James 1:5-7) God is no respecter of persons! He offers us the same choice given to King Solomon of old. Ask today for what you want God to give you! Wisdom is found in Jesus Christ and a true walk with the wisest King of Kings who has ever been or ever will be!