What are you asking for?

What are you asking for?

“Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”   1 Kings 3:5b

What are you asking for?

Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.   1 Kings 3:3 - 4

THE GOOD NEWS - GOD CAN WORK THROUGH AN IMPERFECT PERSON WHOSE HEART IS OPEN TO HIM

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”   1 Kings 3:5

FOUR THINGS SOLOMON DOES WHEN TALKING TO GOD: 

HE STARTS WITH GRATITUDE 

Solomon answered, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart.  You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.”   1 Kings 3:6

HE HUMBLES HIMSELF 

Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in a place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.  1 Kings 3:7

HE ACKNOWLEDGES HE’S A SERVANT OF GOD 

HE TRUSTS GOD

Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.  For who is able to govern this great people of yours?   1 Kings 3:8 - 9

WISDOM:  The ability to use knowledge and experience to make sound judgments, discern what is right or true, and act accordingly. 

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.   1 Kings 3:10

So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.” 

1 Kings 3:11 - 14

Wise and discerning heart - what he asked for

Riches and honor - what he didn’t ask for 

Long life - if Solomon walks in obedience.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”   Matthew 6:33

BRING BACK TO US: “WHAT ARE YOU ASKING FOR?” 

FOR MORE COMFORT, OR FOR MORE CHARACTER? 

FOR BIGGER PLATFORMS, OR FOR DEEPER WISDOM? 

ARE YOU SEEKING RECOGNITION, OR REVELATION? 

A LIFE OF SUCCESS, OR A LIFE OR SURRENDER? 

FOUR WAYS TO LIVE A LIFE “MADE FOR MORE”: 

START WITH GRATITUDE 

HUMBLE YOURSELF 

ASK TO SERVE, NOT TO SHINE 

TRUST GOD WITH THE REST