The common cartoon image of the genie is the all-powerful figure dressed in his pyjamas offering three wishes...so...let me ask you this question...if the true All-Powerful One were standing before you now and asking for your request what would you say?
I am intrigued today by an eighteen year old young man who had very big shoes to fill as he ascended the throne of his father who was in that very position. Before him was God and God was asking him what he would like Him to do.
(That makes me think of blind Bartimaeus...he was blind and begging by the roadside when Jesus walked by. Hearing the commotion Bartimaeus asked what was going on and was told that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. Bartimaeus then begins to call out for Jesus, the Son of David to have mercy on him. When told to hush up he calls out all the more. Jesus stops; he calls Bartimaeus to him and asks the most unusual question..."What would you have Me do for you?" I have always thought that was such an unusual question...Bartimaeus was blind! And Jesus ask him what he wanted Him to do! Funny question!)
The eighteen year old was Solomon, the son of King David. David had died and Solomon was ascending the throne of his father and before him was the true All-Powerful One, God Himself, and He is asking Solomon for his request. This is recorded clearly in 1 Kings 3: 5. Solomon has gone to Gibeon to offer a thousand burnt offerings on the altar to God and it says,
'In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, "Ask what you wish me to give you."'
Now it says nothing about any restriction or limitation, placed by God, on what Solomon could ask.
Solomon could have asked for wealth, health, happiness, glory, splendour, honour...even the head of his enemies on a silver platter! It intrigues me then that Solomon asked for...
'Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?' 1 Kings 3: 9God was pleased with this request. God granted Solomon his request and added riches and wealth, and honour 'such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.' Even today the wealth and splendour of Solomon, and his kingdom, are legendary.
So what has this got to do with us? Listen to these words from the Bible and I'll leave you to ponder these things for yourself.
'But by His (God) doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,...' 1 Corinthians 1: 30
'Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.' Proverbs 4: 7
'That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.' Ephesians 1: 17-19Wow! There is a lot I could say about that but instead hear these words.
Jesus said...
'Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.' Matthew 7: 7-8Jesus is stopped today and standing and He is calling you to Him and He is saying to you...
"What would you have Me do for you?"
What will you ask?
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