We all want blessings from our Father, however often we do not know how or do not choose to invest in our relationship with our Father. I observe in 2 Chronicles an interesting sequence in Solomon’s interaction with the LORD.
First, Solomon worships the LORD. He brings sacrifice. He did not just check a box. He offered a thousand burnt offerings.
Second, the LORD approaches Solomon to ask what blessing he would want. Although we can seek the LORD and ask Him, we can also see that Solomon did not even pursue this request. He simply pursued God.
Third, when asked by the LORD, Solomon choose unselfishly. He chose a gift that would help him lead others and glorify God through His people. God really liked his attitude.
Fourth, the LORD blessed Solomon abundantly.
It is a good reminder that we should pursue the LORD and not just pursue blessings from Him. He is not a vending machine for our personal desires. He is our Creator and Father.
Solomon Worships at Gibeon
1Now Solomon the son of David established himself securely over his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and exalted him greatly.
2Solomon spoke to all Israel, to the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and to the judges and to every leader in all Israel, the heads of the fathers’ households. 3Then Solomon and all the assembly with him went to the high place which was at Gibeon, for God’s tent of meeting was there, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness. 4However, David had brought up the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim to the place he had prepared for it, for he had pitched a tent for it in Jerusalem. 5Now the bronze altar, which Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, was there before the tabernacle of the LORD, and Solomon and the assembly sought it out. 6Solomon went up there before the LORD to the bronze altar which was at the tent of meeting, and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.
7In that night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.”
Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom
8Solomon said to God, “You have dealt with my father David with great lovingkindness, and have made me king in his place. 9“Now, O LORD God, Your promise to my father David is fulfilled, for You have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10“Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of Yours?” 11God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king, 12wisdom and knowledge have been granted to you. And I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings who were before you has possessed nor those who will come after you.” 13So Solomon went from the high place which was at Gibeon, from the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem, and he reigned over Israel.
Solomon’s Wealth
14Solomon amassed chariots and horsemen. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horsemen, and he stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king at Jerusalem. 15The king made silver and gold as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as plentiful as sycamores in the lowland. 16Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue; the king’s traders procured them from Kue for a price. 17They imported chariots from Egypt for 600 shekels of silver apiece and horses for 150 apiece, and by the same means they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram.
Take some time to prayerfully reflect on your primary focus in seeking the LORD. Are you pursuing Him? or something you want from Him? It makes a difference in our attitude and reflects what is in our hearts. It is fine to ask Him for help, but that should not be our only focus in seeking Him. Ask Him to help you with that, so that your heart would truly seek relationship with the LORD and not just avoiding hell or getting something to help in this life.
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, please give me a heart that desires to pursue You. Thank You for the blessings You do provide for me. Thank You for salvation and forgiveness through Christ when I don’t deserve it. Please help develop in me whatever talents and gifts You want me to have to bring glory and honor to You. Amen.
Obviously, we can and should pray for others in this way as well.
Shalom.
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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