What Do You Want from God?
What Do You Want from God?
In both 2 Chronicles 1 and 1 Kings 3, we read that God commanded Solomon, “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.”
Can you even imagine?
Notice, God doesn't promise He's going to give Solomon what he asks for; but He does ask him what he wants.
From reading the 1 Kings account, based on Solomon’s response, we can see that God asked this question at a time when Solomon was having an internal struggle.
“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 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?” - Solomon (1 Kings 3:7-9, NIV)
Solomon’s father (David) had just died, and Solomon had been crowned the new king of Israel.
David had left an incredible legacy to live up to, but not only that — God had already spoken of some pretty great things that Solomon would accomplish during his reign. There was a lot resting on Solomon’s shoulders, and he was doubting his abilities to perform the tasks that God had laid before him. Who wouldn’t have, in his shoes?
“Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” - God (1 Kings 3:5b, NIV)
There are a great many ways that Solomon could have answered God, and God listed several of them: a lengthy life, the death of his enemies, great wealth, honor among men, etc.
But Solomon asked for the wisdom, knowledge, and discernment to lead God’s people. To be a “good” king. To do the work that God had laid before him, and to do it well.
And because Solomon answered selflessly, God gave him not only what he had asked for, but all those other things as well. That’s the whole point, right? (It's the point I learned in Sunday School as a child.)
I think maybe it’s a point, but I don't think it’s the only point…
What Solomon asked of God came from a genuine place of need. Solomon did not feel qualified or capable to lead God’s people with his own, limited understanding.
I have to wonder, if God had asked Solomon the same question at any other point in his life, would he have responded differently? Perhaps a few years into his reign, when he was starting to feel comfortable in that position — starting to feel like he knew what he was doing.
God's timing was not accidental. It never is.
Wanting what you need
Today, if God were to say to you, “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you,” how would you respond to Him?
The Sunday School answer tells us that we shouldn't ask for selfish things like wealth or honor or a long, healthy life (even if those things are among the first to come to mind, if we’re truly being honest).
And an attempt to manipulate God and guarantee that we receive what we ask for says that we should try to guess what God wants to give us — because surely then, He will.
But what do you need? At this moment, here and now, with everything that’s going on in your life and around you, and with the calling that God has placed in your heart, where are you lacking? Speaking from that place, what would you ask for?
Because, funny enough, God is asking each of us that question... every single day.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" - Jesus (Matthew 7:7-11, NIV)
So what would you ask for from God today? He’s waiting to hear from you!
Needs vs. wants
I’ll leave you with one final thought on the matter:
Nothing in 2 Chronicles 1 or 1 King 3 indicates that Solomon had to pause and think about what he wanted to ask God for. Rather, the text suggests that Solomon answered immediately. The need was already manifest to him, and the desire was already in his heart.
Perhaps this is a good way to determine whether or not our “need” is truly a need. If we have to try to come up with an answer, or the “best answer,” regarding what it is we need, maybe we aren’t as “in need” of that thing as we think we are. Perhaps we are just in want.
So don’t rack your brain trying to come up with something to ask for. Right in the middle of your moment of need, stop and ask…
And as you learn to delight in the Giver more than the gifts He gives, you will learn to want His best for you. Because you can trust that God’s best will perfectly meet your needs; and just like with Solomon, God’s best will always be better than yours.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
A Prayer in Response: Lord Jesus, thank you for the ways you faithfully provide for Your children! You taught us that we should ask You for whatever we need. So today, I feel in need of [fill in the blank]. You are the giver of all good things, and Your heart is for my good. So I am trusting You to meet my need as You see fit, just as you did for Solomon. Amen.
Want to read more articles like this one? Subscribe today, and you’ll get blog posts and updates sent straight to your inbox, so you’ll never miss a thing!
