The question was asked of young Solomon who started to reign when he was probably in his late teens. It did not come from a genie in a bottle but from God Himself, albeit in a dream. Let's look at the circumstances that led to this 'blank cheque' being given to our young king.
And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places. Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” 1 Kg 3:3-5 (NIV)
When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, she became pregnant with his child. But the child was struck with illness and later died, despite David pleading with God for his life. God dealt with David through Nathan the prophet concerning his sins (2 Sam 12:13-23). Bathsheba conceived again after David had taken her to be his wife. She bore him a son named Solomon and it was said that the LORD loved him and sent word through Nathan that he should be named Jedidiah, which means beloved of the LORD (2 Sam 12:24-25).
The text above tells us that Solomon loved the LORD which is seen in two areas. For one, he walked in the statutes of his father David and the other is that he offered sacrifices to the LORD in abundance. Putting it in today's context, it would be to walk in obedience to God's Word and to offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God on a regular basis.
What did Solomon ask for? At such a young age, he could have asked for fame (to be popular) and fortune (great wealth). However, he recognised the great burden of leadership responsibility on his shoulders. Solomon did not have any military or fighting skills, unlike his father David who fought with bears and lions when he was a shepherd boy, and eventually fought Goliath and won. At such a young age, he probably had no leadership opportunities available, being overshadowed by his elder half-brothers. At least some of the teenagers today may have leadership opportunities available to them either in schools or in the military.
Solomon pleased the LORD by asking for an understanding heart that He gave him wealth and honour as an added bonus (1 Kg 3:6-15). We can say that he had a three in one wish granted. However, having an understanding heart does not mean that we would make the right choices all the time. In his latter years, Solomon, who had 1000 wives and concubines, was led astray by them to serve and worship other gods.
What would you ask the Lord if He were to give you a 'blank cheque'? There are certainly many things we can ask God for but if it was limited to one request, what would it be? A few possibilities come to mind:
1. Salvation of loved ones and friends
2. Healing for the sick and infirmed
3. Success in our work/business/school
4. To right the injustices done on earth
5. To alleviate the plight of those struck by natural disasters
Many of our requests would either be of things given or done on our behalf. If we are to learn from Jesus, we ought to ask not for things but for a Person (Holy Spirit) to be given (Lk 11:13). When we have the Holy Spirit, we have everything He brings with Him, including gifts and fruit.
Lord, evermore pour out Your Spirit on our lives in greater measure!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The age of blessedness
"See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. .... Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. ... For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them." Is 65:17-23 (NIV)
Reading the passage above, one cannot help but wonder we have arrived at this age of blessedness, considering that people are living longer these days. The life expectancy of a person born in Singapore is between 78 and 82, depending on whether you're a male or female. In fact, the proportion of those aged 65 and above will double to 20%t in 2020. To support the economy, many elderly folks would have to continue working; otherwise the young would have to support the old.
Looking at the passage, you would see that we have not arrived yet. In the age to come, no infant will die young or be doomed to misfortune. And those who reach a 100 years old is considered only a child, and if you fail to reach a 100, you are considered accursed. The work that the people do would be blessed by the LORD. It would be productive, meaningful and enjoyable. Most work nowadays are not very pleasant but burdensome and stressful.
I was reminded of the frailty of the human body when ministering to a few elderly church members. Two in particular had problems with their eyesight; unable to see clearly or have no vision in one eye. Another two had migraine problem while a third mentioned that he had weak limbs. I also prayed for a sister on wheelchair who had problems with her bladder/urinary tract. My own dad also had a problem with his pelvic bone due to osteoporosis. I managed to pray for him in the hospital, even though he is not a believer, when he went for an injection to relief his pain.
The age of blessedness would come when this old world order is destroyed by fire and God ushers in a new millennium age by creating new heavens and a new earth. Indeed, the former manner of things would be forgotten whereby God ushers in the millennial reign of Christ on earth. The figure of a person living according to the age of a tree is a picture of the everlasting life that mankind would enjoy in God's righteous kingdom whereby it would be like the idyllic state of Eden at the beginning of time. Once the millennial reign of Christ ends, God will usher in the dispensation of the everlasting kingdom.
Reading the passage above, one cannot help but wonder we have arrived at this age of blessedness, considering that people are living longer these days. The life expectancy of a person born in Singapore is between 78 and 82, depending on whether you're a male or female. In fact, the proportion of those aged 65 and above will double to 20%t in 2020. To support the economy, many elderly folks would have to continue working; otherwise the young would have to support the old.
Looking at the passage, you would see that we have not arrived yet. In the age to come, no infant will die young or be doomed to misfortune. And those who reach a 100 years old is considered only a child, and if you fail to reach a 100, you are considered accursed. The work that the people do would be blessed by the LORD. It would be productive, meaningful and enjoyable. Most work nowadays are not very pleasant but burdensome and stressful.
I was reminded of the frailty of the human body when ministering to a few elderly church members. Two in particular had problems with their eyesight; unable to see clearly or have no vision in one eye. Another two had migraine problem while a third mentioned that he had weak limbs. I also prayed for a sister on wheelchair who had problems with her bladder/urinary tract. My own dad also had a problem with his pelvic bone due to osteoporosis. I managed to pray for him in the hospital, even though he is not a believer, when he went for an injection to relief his pain.
The age of blessedness would come when this old world order is destroyed by fire and God ushers in a new millennium age by creating new heavens and a new earth. Indeed, the former manner of things would be forgotten whereby God ushers in the millennial reign of Christ on earth. The figure of a person living according to the age of a tree is a picture of the everlasting life that mankind would enjoy in God's righteous kingdom whereby it would be like the idyllic state of Eden at the beginning of time. Once the millennial reign of Christ ends, God will usher in the dispensation of the everlasting kingdom.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The glory of flesh
"And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” Is 40:5-8 (NIV)
The glory of the Lord is contrasted here with the glory of men (flesh). This passage alludes to the first coming of Jesus Christ where John the Baptist announces the arrival of the Messiah (Jn 1:23). John the apostle also mentioned that they beheld the glory of Christ when He incarnated as the Son of Man (Jn 1:14). He was full of grace and truth. Whereas mankind has the propensity to display his inglorious attributes of vengence and deceit.
For all the accomplishments that mankind has made, whether it is discovering a new drug to save lives or sending people into outer space, it cannot be compared to the infinite wisdom and knowledge that God Almighty has. Mankind has only uncovered a very small proportion of what there's to know in this universe, not to mention those beyond us. It is apt then that people should be compared to grass and flowers. Fresh grass and flowers are lovely to touch and behold. But their beauty lasts for only a short while. This means that men would die one day and their works and accomplishments would soon be forgotten, no matter how much the current generation would want to immortalise certain individuals. In contrast, God's word or Christ, the living Word, endures forever. We ought to pay careful attention then to what God says to us in His written word, especially concerning end times.
Jesus mentioned that King Solomon, despite his pomp and pageantry, did not cloth himself like the lilies of the field (Mt 6:28-29). King Solomon has passed on many generations ago. He left behind the legacy of his wise sayings and that's about it. Christ on the other hand, imputed His righteousness to all those who would draw near to Him in faith and imparted to them everlasting life. Truly, the words that He speaks are spirit and life; flesh counts for nothing (Jn 6:63).
If we ever want our words to be profitable, then begin to speak the life-giving words of God to others. We can speak life through proclamation or prayer. We proclaim by sharing the gospel and we pray by speaking healing and wholeness to the people. God's glory is made manifest through salvation, healing and deliverance that take place. However, man being flesh, will still die; but his eternal destiny is secured through the finished work of Christ at Calvary's cross.
If we ever want our words to be profitable, then begin to speak the life-giving words of God to others. We can speak life through proclamation or prayer. We proclaim by sharing the gospel and we pray by speaking healing and wholeness to the people. God's glory is made manifest through salvation, healing and deliverance that take place. However, man being flesh, will still die; but his eternal destiny is secured through the finished work of Christ at Calvary's cross.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
In Celebration of Children
Children's day is usually celebrated on 1 Oct for Primary school kids. It is a day set aside for children to enjoy and have fun. It is a day also for parents to rejoice in the gift of the LORD. The Bible tells us that children are a gift from the LORD (Ps 127:3). Let me suggest three ways we can celebrate as we look at our young child(ren).
Children's Innocence
Very young children are innocent and impressionable. They are not self-conscious of themselves and would do things that adults find adorable and cute. They could be easily influenced either for good or bad by adults in their lives. The Scripture tells us in evil we ought to be like babes (1 Cor 14:20), which means we ought to have the purity of children when evil thoughts and deeds have yet to be formed in them. Woe betide those who seek to harm innocent children for their own ends. Jesus held up children for their humility and simple faith, giving a stern warning against those who would stumble them (Mt 18:3-6). The kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Mt 19:14).
Children's Intelligence
Children can learn things very fast as their brain connections are not so wired up as yet. This means that if you want to teach them languages, you have to start early. As they grow older, it becomes harder and whatever they have learnt would take precedence. Some family bring up their children by getting different members to speak to the children in a different language. Because children have a voracious appetite for knowledge, one way to help them is to bring them to the library (or buy books), but after they've learnt phonetics and able to read on their own. Otherwise, you can read to them and interests them with fascinating stories from the Bible or children's books. Given the proper environment, children can grow up in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and men (Lk 2:52).
Children's Interjections
It's always a joy to listen to babies or young children laugh or giggle. We remember when our daughter was a few years of age, she used to laugh hilariously at a particular portion of a Barney video. That makes us happy as well. Nothing like also seeing them singing praise songs to God and shouting Bible verses out loud. Likewise when our heavenly Father sees us praising and worshipping Him, He takes great delight in us. In Zeph 3:17 the prophet declares, "The Lord your God is with you; the mighty One will save you.
He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you." God will dance and twirl with us in great delight.
May we continue to celebrate our children's innocence, intelligence and interjections. And learn from them!
Children's Innocence
Very young children are innocent and impressionable. They are not self-conscious of themselves and would do things that adults find adorable and cute. They could be easily influenced either for good or bad by adults in their lives. The Scripture tells us in evil we ought to be like babes (1 Cor 14:20), which means we ought to have the purity of children when evil thoughts and deeds have yet to be formed in them. Woe betide those who seek to harm innocent children for their own ends. Jesus held up children for their humility and simple faith, giving a stern warning against those who would stumble them (Mt 18:3-6). The kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Mt 19:14).
Children's Intelligence
Children can learn things very fast as their brain connections are not so wired up as yet. This means that if you want to teach them languages, you have to start early. As they grow older, it becomes harder and whatever they have learnt would take precedence. Some family bring up their children by getting different members to speak to the children in a different language. Because children have a voracious appetite for knowledge, one way to help them is to bring them to the library (or buy books), but after they've learnt phonetics and able to read on their own. Otherwise, you can read to them and interests them with fascinating stories from the Bible or children's books. Given the proper environment, children can grow up in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and men (Lk 2:52).
Children's Interjections
It's always a joy to listen to babies or young children laugh or giggle. We remember when our daughter was a few years of age, she used to laugh hilariously at a particular portion of a Barney video. That makes us happy as well. Nothing like also seeing them singing praise songs to God and shouting Bible verses out loud. Likewise when our heavenly Father sees us praising and worshipping Him, He takes great delight in us. In Zeph 3:17 the prophet declares, "The Lord your God is with you; the mighty One will save you.
He will rejoice over you. You will rest in his love; he will sing and be joyful about you." God will dance and twirl with us in great delight.
May we continue to celebrate our children's innocence, intelligence and interjections. And learn from them!
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