Westlynn Baptist Church
1341 East 27th Street, North Vancouver
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  • Solomon’s Request

      Article by Mike Parsons

    “Now Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me a king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people,
    for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
    (2 Chronicles 1:9-10)

    If you could have anything you asked for, what would it be? Such a question causes our minds to race through many thoughts and ideas. It is a question that is seldom asked and therefore is not sensibly answered.

    The Lord posed this question to Solomon. He could ask for whatever his heart desired, and his response was remarkable. He didn’t ask for personal enrichment, safety, or a long life but to be adequately equipped to fulfill what God had called him to do. His request for wisdom and knowledge demonstrated his maturity. He did not need anyone to remind him that he was given more than he could handle on his own. He was aware of his inadequacy. There are times in our lives when we feel inadequate for life’s challenges. At times we may get overwhelmed. During such times we must remember that our God is always near and ready to help us in our time of need. Solomon was aware that an accumulation of knowledge wasn’t sufficient. He needed wisdom to apply that knowledge. So, he not only asked for knowledge to understand the problems that he would face in his new position as king, but wisdom to know what to do about them. Someone said, ‘’many people are too smart for their own good.’’ They are impressed with their own abilities and so remain unaware of their deficiencies. This was not true of Solomon. He was wise enough to know that he desperately needed help and smart enough to know where to find it.

    Let us be wise enough to be aware of the special challenges of God’s calling to serve His people. We can only serve God by serving others. Solomon wanted to be the best he could be as a ruler of God’s people. He wanted justice for his people and to do what was right for them. May God give us the same desire as we work with His chosen people. How can we make a difference to the brethren during these trying times? How can we promote godliness in light of this pandemic? For us to be an example in our society and have a positive effect on them we can, like Solomon, ask for knowledge and wisdom. God not only granted his request but gave him more than he asked for.

    Our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we are even able to ask or think. James says we don’t have because we don’t ask. Therefore, may we ask God for knowledge and wisdom to help us live out the values of His kingdom as we serve His people.

    – Mike Parsons