Ask For Wisdom

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…..So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.

1 Kings 3:7, 3:9

When the Lord asked Solomon what he wanted, Solomon asked God to give him understanding to be able to lead God’s people. What Solomon wanted was discernment from good and evil. He never asked for any riches or wealth to be bestowed upon him. All he asked was for WISDOM.

How many times have we wished that a genie lamb would fall from the sky and an actual genie appears? We hope that the genie would grant us our wishes; a new house, a new car or 10 million dollars in the bank. Now, you can ask God for all these things, and He would give it to you. For Matthew 21:22 states, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer”. However, many may lose these riches either through bad investments, wastage, or even ill health. When you are faced with such hardships, you cry out and ask, “What have I done wrong?”

You may have been entrusted with a managerial position at your job, but staff members continue to disrespect your leadership. Upon receiving that leadership role, did you ask God how to lead? Did you ask God for the wisdom, compassion, humility and understanding to lead a staff through a company’s strategic vision? When staff reject and berate your decisions, you cry out and ask, “What have I done wrong?”

There are many families that are hurting and being torn apart. Men and women enter martial relationships without understanding what is really involved in the union of marriage. Many wives believe that marriage is about the mesmerizing bridal gown and the glitzy wedding reception. However, women are the nurturers and pray warriors. If the warrior doesn’t know how to fight how can a union stand.

Some men may believe that marriage is about satisfying every sensual urge at your fingertips. However, men are the spiritual head of the household. If the leader does not know where he is going, why should he be followed and revered.

When conflicts arise and these relationships are destroyed, you cry out and ask, “What have I done wrong?”

But it is not a matter of what you have done wrong; but rather, what you have NOT done. God would give us everything that we want; however, we must also have the knowledge and understanding to handle it.

While God was giving Solomon a Kingdom, he did not just take the Kingdom and all the riches and wealth that came with it. As he received the Kingdom, Solomon asked for wisdom to lead the Kingdom AND THE PEOPLE. Without the knowledge he would have led God’s people astray. God recognized this and he was pleased. All the blessings that came along with receiving the Kingdom were bestowed upon Solomon without him asking.

So today in our own lives, before we ask God for all the tangible material things that we can enjoy, let us also ask God for the wisdom and understanding to manage it.