July 3 - What Are You Asking For?

1 Kings 3:11
“And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;”
 
God must hear requests for long life, riches, honour, or revenge all the time. 
 
How much must it grieve His heart for us to ask for any or all of those things rather than asking for wisdom to serve Him? 
 
Solomon could have asked for anything, yet he asked for wisdom. He not only received it, but through God’s grace he was also given so much more. 
 
1 Kings 3:12-14
“Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.”
 
What might the Lord also give us if we will simply ask for the right thing in the first place? 
 
Because he asked for wisdom, God not only granted Solomon’s request, but He also bestowed so much more in addition to his plea. 
 
What a picture of the grace of God! He always gives us so much more than we could ever deserve. 
 
If we will simply ask for wisdom, as Solomon did, we too may receive temporal blessings in addition to that which has eternal value.
 
What have we missed because we simply asked for the wrong thing?
 
 
Bible Reading:
1 Chronicles 21-22   |    1 Thessalonians 3