Daily Verse Devo - 1 Kings 3:9
"Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”
-1 Kings 3:9 (NLT)
Imagine that you were exploring the attic of your home. Underneath the dust and cobwebs, you see a chest in the corner. You open it up to find a golden lamp-like object. You quickly realize that it may contain a genie and start rubbing the lamp. Sure enough, the genie pops out and offers to grant you three wishes.
Obviously, this scenario is fictional, reserved for fantasy stories and movies, but I think it raises an important question. If you could wish for three things and change or add anything to your life, what would you choose? Money? Fame? Love?
While genies may not come out of bottles in the real world, Solomon really did have a similar experience. In a dream, God told Solomon to ask for what he wanted and God would give it to him.
At this point in time, his father David had just passed away and Solomon had assumed the role of king. He asked God to give him wisdom and discernment, so he would be able to rule God's people.
God was pleased with Solomon's answer. He gave Solomon a wise heart, so much so that no one who has or will ever live can be compared to him. God also gave him abundant riches and fame.
In our time, we may not hear God verbally asking us what we want in a dream, but I do believe He cares about our desires and is a loving Father.
That doesn't mean that God will send money falling from the sky, but He does reward the faithful. We must also remember that God is not a genie. We should never serve God just for the sake of getting something in return - that's not what a relationship is about. But, I believe that if we ask God for wisdom, He will give it to us.
James 1:5-8 (NLT) says, "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But 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. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do."
The more we seek after God, the more our hearts become tuned to His ways. The desires of our heart become godly desires when we delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:4).
So don't be afraid to ask God for anything you lack. If you need financial resources, pray. If you need food, pray. If you need strength, pray.
God doesn't always answer in the way we expect, but He never fails to provide for His children. God is always faithful and His blessings are incredible.
Questions for Today:
1.) If you could wish for one thing, what would it be?
2.) What character trait or quality would you like to have?