Ask! What shall I give you?

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!