October 13, 2010
Ask. It's that simple—ASK! BUT! There is a whole process that needs to take place before you ask.
Solomon obeyed the LORD's commands and led his people to do so as well. Solomon's heart was right. He was worshiping GOD with burnt offerings when God came to him and said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon's heart was right before God opened the door for Solomon to ask for anything he wanted. And because Solomon's heart was right he asked for wisdom and understanding to do what God wanted him to do. He didn't ask for personal gain. He didn't ask for revenge against his enemies. He only asked for the wisdom, knowledge and strength to be faithful to God. And God, because of Solomon's heart, blessed him with the things he didn't ask for.
I can't think of a single time in scripture where God invited anyone whose heart was not right to ask for whatever they wanted and he would bless them with whatever their desire was. The key here is "bless" them. God has certainly allowed people to have the selfish desires of their heart at times as a form of punishment or accountability.
The Life Lesson for this chapter was again about God providing all the resources you need and what I wrote about yesterday—being willing. No coincidence that the very thing we needed to be reminded of is the encouragement that God sent our way.
Next Entry: II Chronicles 2:1 – 5:1
Ask. It's that simple—ASK! BUT! There is a whole process that needs to take place before you ask.
Solomon obeyed the LORD's commands and led his people to do so as well. Solomon's heart was right. He was worshiping GOD with burnt offerings when God came to him and said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon's heart was right before God opened the door for Solomon to ask for anything he wanted. And because Solomon's heart was right he asked for wisdom and understanding to do what God wanted him to do. He didn't ask for personal gain. He didn't ask for revenge against his enemies. He only asked for the wisdom, knowledge and strength to be faithful to God. And God, because of Solomon's heart, blessed him with the things he didn't ask for.
I can't think of a single time in scripture where God invited anyone whose heart was not right to ask for whatever they wanted and he would bless them with whatever their desire was. The key here is "bless" them. God has certainly allowed people to have the selfish desires of their heart at times as a form of punishment or accountability.
The Life Lesson for this chapter was again about God providing all the resources you need and what I wrote about yesterday—being willing. No coincidence that the very thing we needed to be reminded of is the encouragement that God sent our way.
"Don't go to God with options and expect him to choose one of your preferences. Go to him with open hands—no hidden agendas, no crossed fingers, nothing behind your back. Go to him with a willingness to do whatever he says. If you surrender your will, then he will "equip you with everything good for doing his will" (Hebrews 13:21). It's a promise." ~ From On the Anvil by Max Lucado.The Life Lesson then sent me to multiple verses about "asking." When our hearts are right we can ask for anything (because we will be asking for the right things), and it will be done.
Next Entry: II Chronicles 2:1 – 5:1
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