1 Kings 1-8, 10-11
2 Chronicles 5-7
Proverbs 1-3, 6, 20-21

When I was younger, I loved going to Chuck-e-cheese. Have you heard of it? It’s an awesome playground of games, lights, sounds, and pizza. The best part is that you can win tickets from the games! After a grueling hour of hard hard work, you’d have a big ol’ bag of tickets that you can turn in to pick a prize. As a kid, I thought I had a zillion tickets (it was probably only about a 100), and I’d walk up to the counter, slap them down and say, “count ‘em”. The teenager behind the counter would total them up then ask me the most important question: “What would you like?” This question is similar to a question that Solomon was asked in the Bible.

Solomon was a young king. At just 12 years old, David gave the throne over to him to lead all of Israel! Can you imagine if someone turned to you and said, “I want you to be President of the United States starting right now. No preparation, just get in there.” How would you feel? Do you think you could do it?

Solomon accepted the assignment from his dad but he felt like he wasn’t prepared to do the job. Lucky for him, God showed up and asked him a question that changed his life. God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1 Kings 3) This was a game changer!

"If God let you ask for anything in the world, what would you ask for? Why?"

So what did Solomon ask for? He asked for one thing: “A discerning heart to govern God’s people, to know what is right and wrong.” Translation: He asked for wisdom.

He could’ve asked for anything, like all of the money in the world, to be the best looking guy in his city, or to have the best kingdom and always win wars. Instead, he asked for something specific that you might not have immediately noticed.

Yes, Solomon asked for wisdom. More than that, he asked for a quality close to the heart of God. A characteristic of who God is. Solomon asked for wisdom to be a just leader. Here’s the connection: God is wise and a just God, which means he keeps his law and he looks out for the widow, the orphan, and the foreigner. God cares for all people because he loves them.

Solomon knew what God wanted for His world, so he asked for something that would continue God’s work on earth.

When you talk to God, does what you say honor Him and focus on building his Kingdom, or is it specifically about you? 

Take this thought a little further: Think of a prayer request that you have right now. How could you talk to God about that request in a way that honors Him and continues the work of Christ on Earth?

When we talk to God, we actually have the ability to ask for anything. Jesus himself said this: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name…” (John 14:13). Many of us stop that verse too soon. There is more to this permission. Jesus continues with this: “…so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

In Biblical times, when something was done in someone’s name, it was to honor them! Solomon asked for wisdom in God’s name, so that he could bring God honor. Jesus says ask for whatever you want in my name so that you can bring honor to God through him! 

When we come before the Lord, what we say, the praises, adoration and requests, should all be focused on bringing honor to God and continuing His work here on earth.