Our Heart’s Desires

II Chronicles 1:6-13

"Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, LORD God, let Your promise to my father David be confirmed, for You have made me 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?" God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have." Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from before the Tent of Meeting. And he reigned over Israel."

We usually pray with our daily needs in mind, food, health, resources, even our longer term goals are mostly physical, achievement, and material things, but how often do we pray for intangible goods such as wisdom, time, peace of mind, God’s kingdom and will for us, and joy in our hearts? God is generous, the Apostle James encourages us, “if any of you lacks wisdom, they should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to them (Jam 1:5).” And our LORD reminds us that the Father is a good father and a generous provider: “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans strive after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you (Matt 6:31-33)." King Solomon however, asked not for himself but understood that it is all for the glory of God and that his leadership is a solemn responsibility to serve God’s people and God granted what he asked and added unto him all that anyone half the man that he was would have. As the Living Life writer prays, may we carry the desires of God’s heart within us and grow in His wisdom and knowledge so that we can love and serve His people well.