Today's passage: 2 Chronicles 1-3; Luke 5:1-16
People often seem to treat God like a genie in a bottle - only talking to Him when they have a request, and becoming upset or confused when He doesn't answer their requests with a "yes" immediately. But God is not a genie in a bottle and it doesn't work that way.
At least, not usually. In today's passage God gives Solomon that opportunity and asks him what he would like God to do for him.
Can you imagine? Being asked such a question by the sovereign, all-powerful God?!
What would we have asked for?
Solomon shows that he already has a great deal of wisdom when he makes wisdom his request. What maturity and depth of character it took for him to make a request that would benefit not just himself, but the entire kingdom.
So God not only answers Solomon's request but also grants him all the things he did not ask for, including riches beyond imagining.
God still operates that way, in one extent. When we put others ahead of ourselves, when we make selfless requests, when we demonstrate faithfulness, He rewards us. Not always in this life (though sometimes, as in Solomon's case, He does), and certainly not always materially. But with spiritual blessings now and eternal blessings to come.
And, maybe the best news on all, even when we prove ourselves unfaithful, His faithfulness to us remains. Amazing grace!
In our NT passage we see Jesus proving His divinity through miracles. What I always love about Jesus is that His miracles were not simply random, but we also acts of compassion - providing for people, healing people, loving people. THAT is the God we serve.
Tomorrow's passage: 2 Chronicles 4-6; Luke 5:17-39
1 comment:
5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”
"But at your word" even before Jesus called them, they were willing to take a chance even when all logic seemed to tell them it not to.
11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
They. left. everything. I am quick to say that I might be holding on to my worldly possessions a bit too tight because leaving my job and my things seem to be something that I know I would be reluctant to do...
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