If you could ask anything from God: What would it be?

"There is nothing new under the sun."

Solomon wrote that towards the end of this life, looking back on his own experience. He had asked for wisdom to guide his people, and God gave it to him. Because of that, he had a reputation for being wise and that reputation spread to other lands.

Solomon had accumulated much wealth – horses, chariots, gold, timber, precious metal, sheep; all sorts of measures of his stature. No one had more wealth than Solomon. He had ruled, for the most part, in peace. He had experienced life to its fullest.

And yet he wrote: "There is nothing new under the sun."

From his point of view, life had turned out to be a disappointment. 

It didn’t matter that his storehouses were full to overflowing. It didn’t matter that he had built the most astounding place of worship in the world, it didn’t matter that he had the love and respect of his subjects. It didn’t matter that people from other countries traveled great distances just to discuss matters with him. None of this satisfied.

Solomon didn’t write of how he had grown in relationship with God. He didn’t write about spending hours in God's presence and what he found there. He didn’t write about the wonder of intimacy with God.

Solomon wrote from the perspective of someone who had gained the world’s pleasures but had forgotten God.

So, this morning, I sense God asking us the same question he asked Solomon: If you could ask anything from God, what would it be?

Would you ask for enough money so you'd never have to worry about paying the rent again? Would you ask for a solid job that satisfies you? Would you ask for peace in your family? Would you ask for a bigger house or a faster car? 

What would you ask for?

Would you begin to think broader, more globally, like Solomon did initially? How important would wisdom be to you? How would you begin to define success in life? 

How would you answer the question?

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." James 1.5

photo credit: www.workingwomenoffaith.com