The Heart for Asking

"That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”  (2 Chron. 1: 7-10)

I remember when I was young, being so enchanted by this event.  That God would speak to you, and actually give you a blank check? 'Whatever you want me to give you.' Answer that in your mind right now.  What would you ask of the Creator, Sovereign God of the universe?  

What did Solomon do to deserve such favor?  He was chosen by the Lord.  God said to David, "...'you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’" (1 Chron. 22:9-10) 

Here's the amazing, mind-blowing news: We too, are chosen. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 

Further, our Father has extended the same "blank check" to us, as He did to Solomon! "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you." (John 15:16)  When Solomon asked for wisdom, God said "since this was in your heart," I will give you this and everything else, with a cherry on top.  In the New Testament, we're told, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matt. 6:33) 

You see, it's about what's in your heart. Look again at Solomon's request. He first acknowledges God's sovereignty.  He doesn't say "because I am king," he says, "you have made me king". He knows that his position in life is a gift from God, not of his own doing.  Then, he prays for God to fulfill His promise.  He prays for God's already stated will, to be done.  Lastly, he speaks to God from great humility; 'who is able to govern your people?' He knows these are the Lord's people, not his, and he knows that he is not equipped to be their king, without the Lord. 

Let us not be fooled by the term "blank check". God is not a genie or an ATM.  Because Solomon loved the Lord, humbly revered Him and wanted to govern his people well, his heart was in line with God's will.  How are we able to pray within God's will when He is so supreme and holy?  In our relationships with other people, when we take time to get to know them, we can better see where they're coming from. We understand them better.  Seek Him, talk to Him, listen to Him, get to know Him in an intimate relationship. He will transform your heart and make you like Him.  "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2) Also: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Cor. 3:18)

When our heart is aligned with God's will, we will seek first His kingdom and his righteousness.  And He promises us, when we do this, He will also give us everything else we need...with a cherry on top.

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matt. 7:11)

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash