If God granted you one wish…literally anything you could dream up, what would it be?

If we spend some time pondering that one question, it would make our heads spin.  Yet this whole idea is not a “made up” scenario.  God literally asked Solomon to make a wish (1 Kings 3).  Out of all the things he could have wished for, he asked for wisdom to lead God’s people with justice and understanding.  God was so pleased with his request that he not only gave him the gift of wisdom, but he also gave him everything else he did not ask for…fame, wealth, and honor.

The context of this story is profound.  Solomon is following in the footsteps of his dad the “Giant Killer”…the hero of Israel.  How does a young ignorant man step into the place of a king with the wisdom and experience of King David?  Solomon must have been asking thesame question.  His request for wisdom could have been rephrased to “God help me”!  Because of this God literally allowed Solomon to skipthe “experience stage” and gave him wisdom he did not earn.

This situation was too big for Solomon.  He was in over his head.  Have you ever been there?  Have you ever felt you don’t have what it takes to manage your life, make the decisions you need to make, be the husband you need to be, or lead like God indented you to lead? Welcome to the human race!   The beauty of this story is not found in what God gave to Solomon, it is found in what God still offers today.  You see, God understands our limits.  He never wanted us to be “god” of our lives.  He wants to be God of your life and in light of Jesus, He is offering us the same gift he gave to Solomon.   All we have to do is admit that we do not have what it takes on our own, and ask for help.

James 1:5 ESV
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

The first step is admitting that you lack wisdom.  Don’t let that discourage you!  You are in good company…with the rest of the human race.
Dave