1 Kings 3:5

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

Over the centuries hundreds of stories have been told in many different ways in which a person finds a magic lamp and a genie grants the person three wishes. While most people know it is not real, most people desire to have their wishes granted.

People are constantly talking about what they desire to have or be able to do some day. Often those desires come out of personal greed.

Soon after Solomon was made king, God came to him in a dream and told him to ask Him whatever he wanted Him to give him.

As the world dreams about being asked what they want by a genie, God does ask that question of believers on a regular basis.

Most believers go to God on a regular basis with a long list of desires of wants and needs. Those desires can be both for others and for themselves. Some of those desires can be selfish in the making, while others are made out of true concern for others or even self.

While Solomon was granted his request of God, many believers find that their requests are denied. This often occurs because the desire was selfish and not what God desires.

The true believer will be seeking the will of God, not his own personal desires when he asks God for something. His focus will be upon eternity, not the here and now pleasure of the day. Just as Jesus was focused upon building God’s kingdom, true believers will have that same desire and ask God for whatever is needed to make that happen.

Every believer needs to ask for things that will help him to accomplish God’s goal for his life.

You most likely have a long listed of desired things, both needed and just wants. Take time to go through that list and seek things that will line up with the goal of God in your life here on this planet. Which of those desires will make you more like Jesus and which will build His kingdom here on this earth?

Do not be afraid to ask God for your desires but be willing to ask according to His will as Jesus had said to do and see God do mighty works in and through your life.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know what God’s will is for your life; that you will ask God for things that fulfill His purpose in your life; and that you will have a desire to build God’s kingdom as Jesus did.

Antique oil lamp

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

One of the wishes of many people would be able to ask someone or something for anything that they want and that they will get it. Many stories of have been written over the years of people finding a magic lamp with a genie in it. The genie comes out and offers three wishes to the owner of the lamp.

Some of the owners struggle as to what to ask for, wanting only to get the best thing possible, not wanting to waste a wish. In the process of asking, sometimes the owner likes what he has been given and other times regrets what he was given. The genie gives the request whether it is really a good one or not.

Although genies are not real, God is. Once Solomon had become king of Israel, God came to him one night and allowed him to ask for whatever he wants, and God would give it to him. With some thought, Solomon chose to ask for God’s wisdom in his life.

Over the years since that time, many people have desired God to ask them that same question. They want God to give them the same proposal to ask whatever they want of Him. Most are forgetting that Jesus had said the same thing. He had stated that those who believe in Him could ask of anything according to His will and they would get it.

That request to ask for anything has never been changed or rescinded. God still loves to give His people what they ask for. However, the question is what will people ask for?

Often people ask for wealth or things to benefit themselves. It is all about self, rather than God and His kingdom.

Believers are to be focused on God and building His kingdom first and foremost. The things that they need to ask for should be to that effort.

You have the opportunity to ask God for whatever you want. What is your heart’s desire to have?

Solomon chose wisdom. It was about serving God and the kingdom God had given him. What will your choice be?

Will it be like the majority of the world, something for self?

Or will it be something to honor God and build His kingdom?

Ask God today. He is waiting.

I pray today that you will know God’s heart; that you will know what God wants of you; that you will seek God’s desires for your life; and that you will believe God only gives what is best for you and His kingdom.