Ask For Wisdom

Scripture:  “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)

Once again one of David’s sons has tried to forcefully take his throne.  Adonijah met in secret at the Stone of Zoheleth (don’t you just love these names) which was a high place on one of the mountains that overlook Jerusalem.  You can just imagine Adonijah licking his chops as he gazed upon all of Jerusalem believing this was now his kingdom.

His excitement was probably similar to Simba’s when Mufasa  told him that wherever the sun touches the ground that is their kingdom (Lion King).  Satan took Jesus to the top of a mountain to show him the kingdoms of the world.  There is something to be said about being able to see the “kingdom” before ruling the kingdom.  Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision the people will perish.”  But just because you can see the kingdom doesn’t mean you will be granted the privilege of leading the kingdom.

Adonijah learned this the hard way.  Word got back to David that Adonijah had proclaimed himself king.  David immediately jumped into action and anointed Solomon as the next king of Israel.  Adonijah responded to Bathsheba, “You know that I had the kingdom right in my hands and everyone expected me to be king, and then the whole thing backfired and the kingdom landed in my brother’s lap – God’s doing.” (1 Kings 2:15).  These are the things that took place prior to Solomon having this dream.

Vision without wisdom will lead to nothing but broken dreams.  Consider that thought as you think about the big dreams, goals, plans you have made for this coming year.  Adonijah operated with a vision but he lacked wisdom.  Have you ever ventured into something big only to discover you didn’t have the wisdom to fulfill the task before you?

Because God has wired us to be tender hearted and warriors with spirit we tend to plod through the difficult situations.  You graduated from the “School of Hard-Knocks”, but imagine how much easier and quicker you may have accomplished this vision if you had first been gifted with the wisdom to complete the task.  There really is a lot of wisdom in the thoughts – “measure twice, cut once,” “turn off the main circuit breaker before messing with anything electrical in the house.”  Not only have we been wired to be warriors but we have also been wired to be impulsive.  Perhaps you haven’t done this, but I know I have walked into an electronics store or even a car lot and made a purchase without actually doing some homework.  I lacked wisdom in those moments and ended up paying more than I needed to. I share this with you because I am absolutely amazed at Solomon’s response to God’s offer – “Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well.”  (I Kings 3:9).

Solomon was about 20 years old when he gave that response.  I know that when I was 20 and if the God of the Universe had said to me, “Ask for whatever you want” my response would not have been anything as noble and wise as Solomon’s.  I probably would have asked for a really hot car to be quite honest. At 20 I was busy trying to prove to myself and to the world I had what it took to make it.  I was all about ambition and achievement.  I didn’t want people to know my weaknesses.  I wanted people to think I was amazing that I was mature.

Solomon took a totally different approach.  He admitted his weaknesses, his vulnerabilities, “I am too young to lead this kingdom.  I don’t know the ropes.”  Solomon was already wise and he didn’t even know it.  When I was the pastor of Grace UMC, my first church, I was to proud, to full of myself, to admit that I didn’t have a clue of how to lead this church.  I didn’t even have the wisdom to know that I needed wisdom.  James says, ”If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and He won’t humiliate you when you ask for help.” (1:5). My leadership was based upon hunches, impulsive behavior, and as a result I gained wisdom without asking for it.  I gained wisdom through humiliation.  God would have loved for me to learn in a different way.  God desires the same for you.  The Word teaches us that “We receive not because we ask not.” (James 4:2) what would you ask of God today?  Would you ask for wisdom?  Would you ask that God would lead you to know the difference between good and evil?  Would you ask God for the wisdom to do His will?  Proverbs 4:7 tells us that “getting wisdom is the most important thing we could do.”  As a man who wants to finish well I realize that I need even more wisdom.  Proverbs 28:26 says “If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure.”  I am tired of being a fool – How about you?

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