We all have wants and desires; more money, more authority, less stress, or a better relationship. We pray for the results we want to see, put our time, energy and effort into achieving our goals.
In today's reading, Solomon had a difficult decision to make. Solomon had the opportunity to ask God for anything he wanted. Perhaps this offer can be regarded as God's “coronation gift” to the young king. It was also a test, which he passed: instead of asking for riches or success, he humbly asked for the wisdom to carry out his God-given responsibilities (v. 10).
By asking God for wisdom first, Solomon showed where his heart's treasure lay, that is, in which direction his deepest desires pointed. How about us? Let’s say with the psalmist: “My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God ... Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere” (Ps. 84:2, 10).
The second chapter also highlights the need for a temple. Solomon's temple would restore things to the way God had designed. King Solomon wanted to build an extravagant building for God. He understood that nothing man-made could contain the Creator of the cosmos, as even the universe is too small to enclose Him. And neither was he deceived into believing that somehow God needed him. When Solomon said the temple he built “will be great,” the literal meaning is “must be great.” This revealed Solomon’s heart for God. He wanted to honor God through the greatness of the building.
2 Chronicles 2:5–6: “And the temple which I [Solomon] build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?”
He is big enough to create and maintain all that exists and yet still able to intimately stoop down to the lowest sinner with His saving gift of grace. If God seems too vast, too distant to be reached, it is not a problem of dimension, size, or power on His part, but a problem of submission on ours.
Is He your King? Never till He is so; will we know the fullness of God’s love. Those who question or refuse His authority are always in doubt about the love of God to themselves and to the world. All is love where Jesus reigns. Go, spread your trophies at His feet, And crown Him
Lord of all!
Reflect:
If you knew God would give you anything, what would you ask for? Do your prayers need to change to be more selfless? If so, how?
Is he the Lord of ALL in your life?
LORD, You know we are nothing, but You, who are everything, have condescended to include us in Your kingdom. We surrender afresh to Your Lordship this day, O God. AMEN.
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