What Do You Want Most From God?

Written by Erin Allen

If God came to you today and said, “Ask, what shall I give you?”, what would your response be? Countless wishes? Health for your loved ones? A mancave? A membership to a spa? A loving spouse? Good grades? Toys of every size and shape? Freedom from sin that has secretly entangled you for years? A new car? 

Most of us would respond to God with a selfish ask, a worldly focus. Yet in 1 Kings 3 we learn of Solomon who does a super-spiritual thing. He asks God for wisdom.

The first application of Solomon’s wisdom is the conflict we see between two women arguing over whose baby is the living child. Solomon brilliantly exposes the real mother as well as the liar. Oh, to have wisdom from above to judge like Solomon!

So often we judge whether it’s the best restaurant, or on someone’s outward appearance, or worse, the intention behind someone’s behavior. We make ourselves judge and jury as if we have the wisdom of Solomon. Jesus, in Matthew 7:1-5, blatantly teaches us not to judge others, and warns us that we will be judged with the same judgment we use against others. Ouch! That should give us pause.

Wisdom grants us the humility necessary to take a step back and walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. 

Solomon broke straight through to the truth, and both women were exposed. When we are tempted to judge unrighteously, praying for wisdom and understanding will reveal our own heart. Are we judging with a heart full of pride, or judging with a heart for reconciliation, care, and love?

James 3:17 – “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

If I took a moment to go through James 3:17, and paused to examine my own heart before I quickly judged another person, my interpersonal relationships would change immediately. Way more often than I would like to admit, I have judged unwisely and too quickly without even batting an eye. I want to grow in this area of my life and I hope you do, too.

God, help us to long for wisdom and to ask for it – James 1:5 tells us You willingly give it, like You gave to Solomon! 

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.