Solomon establishes his kingdom publicly by worshiping the Lord. Solomon knows that the kingdom is not his, but God's. The people are not his, but God's. He is simply the caretaker. So, when asked what he wants, Solomon asks for wisdom. This is a humble request born out of a heart that desires to serve the Lord in the best way possible.
Sometimes I ask myself, "Is this my heart? My prayer? Do I seek to do my best for the Lord? Do I seek the tools necessary to understand and carry out His will and purpose for my life? Or do I look at my life through pride and selfishness, only seeking temporary comforts and rewards?" Our life seems so short, and our world tells us to live it to the fullest. Seek pleasure and comforts while you can. But this is a narrow, materialistic approach, for there is a bigger picture to life. Ever heard the saying, "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime?"
Our lives should be focused on the big picture - eternity, not only for ourselves but for our neighbors as well. Notice that when Solomon focused on the big picture and humbly asked for that which would allow him to succeed in the purpose God laid out for him, he also gained the blessings of riches and honor. When we put our focus on God's purpose, all the rest falls into place. We can spend a lifetime scratching and clawing for money, security, pleasure - always struggling, always obsessing. Or we can spend a lifetime focusing on God and His ways - resting in His love, grace, and mercy - and let God take care of us. That seems like a much more peaceful road, now doesn't it?
No comments:
Post a Comment