ESOCS Devotional 6 March 2023
TEXT: 1 KINGS 3:3-15
MEMORY VERSE: “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 NLT
There is a connection between the question which God addressed to Solomon in the dream, “What shall I give thee?” and the object of the sacrifice, viz., to seek the help of God for his reign. Solomon commences his prayer in 1 Kings 3:6 with an acknowledgement of the great favour which the Lord had shown to his father David, and had continued till now by raising his son to his throne and then, in 1 Kings 3:7-9, in the consciousness of his incapacity for the right administration of government over so numerous a people, he asks the Lord for an obedient heart and for wisdom to rule His people
Note the wide possibilities opened by the divine offer. Our narrative brings that gracious offer into connection with Solomon’s lavish sacrifice before the Tabernacle at Gibeon. ‘God loveth a cheerful giver’ and because these thousand burnt offerings meant devotion and thankfulness, therefore He who lets no man be the poorer for what he gives to Him, and is honoured most, not by our giving to, but by our takings from Him.
Looked at from a somewhat different point of view, God’s offer to Solomon presupposes God’s knowledge and approval of his wishes. He does not give blank cheques to those whom He cannot trust to fill them up rightly. When James and John tried to commit Jesus to a blind promise ‘that Thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of Thee,’ the response was a question as to what they wished. ‘Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.’ God loves us too well to let us have blank cheque unless our wills run parallel with His.
We should note that Jesus makes a similar invitation to his disciples, saying, “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you” (Matthew 7:7; see also Luke 11:9; John 16:24).
- Do you withhold that which is in your power to giver from God?
- Lord give me a grateful heart to be thankful and willing to lavishly give to your ministry and to the glory thy holy name
FURTHER READING: Exodus 3:13-22; Mark 1:29-39; 2 Peter 1:1-11
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 6 March 2023
