On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?”  — 2 Chronicles 1:7

Could you imagine God Himself appearing to you and saying, “Whatever you want, name it, it’s yours!” I’ve had this question on the forefront of my mind for a solid week now.  I almost feel like God is asking me this question and giving me this opportunity for real.  What would you ask Him for?  I think our answer reveals so much about our spiritual condition.

Solomon asks for wisdom. For the longest time, I’ve thought his answer was the standard for all answers.  I have asked God countless times for wisdom.  Yet, as I read on in 2 Chronicles, Solomon didn’t end well.  He might have had the wisdom to know what was right, but often times, he didn’t have the courage to actually do what was right. Because of his lust for foreign women (and women in general), he succumbed to their wishes when they wanted temples for their own gods.  He actually built temples to other gods in Israel breaking the first commandment. His legacy of wisdom did not get passed on to his sons.  You can read in 2 Chronicles 10 just how foolish Rehoboam, his son and successor, was. He certainly never learned from his dad that “a gentle answer turns away wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1)

I believe Solomon had two answers that would have been better than the one he gave.  He doubtless had access to Moses’s writings, the Pentateuch.  He also had the knowledge of his own father, David.  He had access to his writings, as well as the stories of the things he went through.  Because of this, I think Solomon should have asked thusly:

“God, Moses sought your face, he really knew you, and you knew him.   You talked with him.  You led him and guided him.  I want to know you like that.  I want you to help me lead these people where you want them to go.”

Or

“You said that my dad was a man after your own heart.  Give me a heart that desires you like his did.  When I get off track and sin, convict me like you did him.  Create in me a clean heart, O God.”

It isn’t like Solomon asked for anything bad.  There is a sense of God being impressed with His answer because He mentions the fact that he didn’t ask for riches or power.  It is apparent that most people would ask for these types of things.

So, knowing what little I know about the Bible and taking into consideration everything that I’ve learned up to this point in my life, what am I asking for?

Lord, I want to be as full of Your Holy Spirit as possible.  I want to have a heart that truly loves you and truly keeps the greatest commandment to love the Lord my God with all my heart, all my soul, all of my mind, and all my strength.  When people see me, may they be reminded of you.

Amen

Adam