We often have heard the words "What is your wish?" in the context of a genie in a bottle, but surprisingly this is basically what God said to Solomon in 1 Kings 3:5. It is also similar to what Jesus said to the blind man, "What do you want me to do for you" in Mark 10:51.
Solomon's Legacy
As I was reading through 1 Kings and came to this verse, it gave me pause and made me think, "What would I ask for if I was in Solomon's place?" Solomon was a young king and he asked God for wisdom to help in ruling God's people. God was pleased with the request since he didn't ask for wealth or long life (which is the typical type of response when we think of the genie scenario), so God said he would give him wealth and honor in addition to the wisdom he requested. If you are familiar with the life of Solomon you know that though he was the wisest man and extremely wealthy, that in the end these didn't help him and that he was led astray to worshipping false gods because of his many wives who worshipped them.
My Choice?
So in considering this question for myself, I realized that wisdom is good but it didn't help Solomon in the long run. At the end of it I thought that I would want to have a close and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and have him deep in my life. If I have Jesus, that is all that I need. He is better than riches, wisdom, long life, success, honor, a great legacy or anything else. Jesus is the source of life. He is the only one who can change me, forgive me, transform me and more than that, he loves me!
As Moses said, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here" (Ex 33:15). He didn't want to be without God's presence. When Jesus asked if the disciples were going to leave him Peter said “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69 NIV). Peter recognized that only Jesus had life and without him he would have nothing.
So Lord Jesus, I want you! I need you! I want only you!
What is your choice?
To you reading this, what is your response? What is your wish?
Solomon's Legacy
As I was reading through 1 Kings and came to this verse, it gave me pause and made me think, "What would I ask for if I was in Solomon's place?" Solomon was a young king and he asked God for wisdom to help in ruling God's people. God was pleased with the request since he didn't ask for wealth or long life (which is the typical type of response when we think of the genie scenario), so God said he would give him wealth and honor in addition to the wisdom he requested. If you are familiar with the life of Solomon you know that though he was the wisest man and extremely wealthy, that in the end these didn't help him and that he was led astray to worshipping false gods because of his many wives who worshipped them.
My Choice?
So in considering this question for myself, I realized that wisdom is good but it didn't help Solomon in the long run. At the end of it I thought that I would want to have a close and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and have him deep in my life. If I have Jesus, that is all that I need. He is better than riches, wisdom, long life, success, honor, a great legacy or anything else. Jesus is the source of life. He is the only one who can change me, forgive me, transform me and more than that, he loves me!
As Moses said, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here" (Ex 33:15). He didn't want to be without God's presence. When Jesus asked if the disciples were going to leave him Peter said “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69 NIV). Peter recognized that only Jesus had life and without him he would have nothing.
So Lord Jesus, I want you! I need you! I want only you!
What is your choice?
To you reading this, what is your response? What is your wish?
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