Praise God for All He Is

"And Solomon went up there to the bronze altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it. ⁷ On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?"

2 Chronicles 1:6-7

I find it interesting how the KJV renders God's words in the form of a command:  "Ask what I shall give thee."  God is generous and giving, and made His intent clear to King Solomon.  God was going to give Solomon something, and directed him to ask for it.  Now I must say many times in my life I considered what I would say if such a demand was placed on me.  I can also say my answers have been impacted by the way God answered Solomon's request for wisdom.  God was pleased Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to rule God's people well when he could have asked for riches, wealth, honour, the lives of his enemies or long life for himself.  One might imagine because Solomon "gave the right answer," God chose to give him wisdom, knowledge and everything else thrown in too.

If we frame our response to God's invitation based upon what God gave Solomon as a formula to gain riches, wealth and long life for ourselves, we are blind of God's grace.  We may attempt to answer God's demand in a humble way not to appear greedy--because we naturally are greedy and want very much what we have not asked for.  Who is there among men who is not pleased with something for nothing?  We would rather not have to ask!  Asking is the rule of God's kingdom, yet He remains generous and gracious to give us far beyond what we ever asked for or dreamed.  To view Solomon's response as a guide to obtain our desire (if I do enough to please God or give the "right" answer to a question I will get what I really value) we are not valuing Who God is or what God has already promised and given to us through Jesus Christ.  God does not give blank checks for us to fill out, for that would limit the infinite stores of mercy, grace and love He could extend to us.

Consider for a moment how God has given the humble child of God by faith in Jesus more than Solomon received from God.  Sure, we might not bring in hundreds of talents of gold in taxes into our treasury per annum, but all we have received from God is beyond price or reckoning.  Jesus has become for us wisdom, and the Holy Spirit who indwells us guides us into all truth.  Those who humble themselves God is pleased to adopt as His beloved children and invite into His glorious presence to a place prepared for us.  Jesus has destroyed the Law which condemned us, cleansed us of sin that cursed and damned us, and He crushed the head of Satan under His feet.  Long life for Solomon is estimated to be about 80 years, and how does that compare with eternal life in heaven with God?  All the sacrifices Solomon offered were unable to cleanse his soul fully and perpetually, yet in Jesus Christ our souls have been born again, purified and redeemed forever by His sacrifice.

Hebrews 4:14-16 reads, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  The Christian walk is not about us receiving what we want--or even what we need--but how we have by faith in Jesus Christ all we need for wisdom, life and godliness forever!  Praise the LORD for all He has given us according to His promises by His grace.  The incident with Solomon shows God's grace to give His beloved people far beyond what we ever asked for, and this should fill us with praise and thanksgiving to our God who loves to bless us with the true riches of His kingdom:  Himself.