The Way of KingsSample

Great Intentions

I love to make a good plan.

Whether it’s a financial spreadsheet or a daily planner, a weekend to-do list, or a long-term home improvement project, there’s something very satisfying about setting down a goal. It is a representation of what we would like to accomplish. It is a place to set out our best intentions to get done the things we know should get done.

Plans are one thing. Execution is another. I’m all for identifying the goal; as for getting it done, well…my strategy usually isn’t as good as my plans.

Perhaps you can relate, men. It’s easy to want the moon. But finding a way to actually get up there?

It’s not enough to want good things. Even the good things of God. We’ve got to find a realistic way to get things done.

After David’s time on earth was finished, Solomon ascended to the throne of Israel.

Solomon wasn’t ready to rise to the occasion. When God appeared to him in a dream and told him he could ask for anything he wished, Solomon had a moment most of us dream of.

God was essentially offering Solomon anything he wanted. This was Solomon’s chance to get the key to reaching his goals. He could have anything, as evidenced by God’s response.

What Solomon chose to ask for was wisdom for the task ahead. He wanted to be equipped to do the job that was staring him down.

There’s something that we might overlook here. Solomon clearly didn’t feel up to the task of being king. Instead of asking for his circumstances to change, Solomon asked to be able to rise to the challenge. God met him there and gave him more.

We’re not in Solomon’s shoes. God isn’t coming to us in our dreams and asking us what we would like to be given. But maybe we’re in his shoes in another way. If you are in a situation that you don’t feel ready for---ill-equipped, unprepared, and maybe even unfit for—ask God, not to change your circumstances, but to raise you to the challenge.

Prayer: God, I know You are able to strengthen me and equip me for the challenges I face. Please give me what I need to accomplish the tasks ahead so that I may glorify You with my life and my work. Amen.

Reflection: Where do you need God’s wisdom for the task in front of you? Are there perhaps places where you should have asked Him for it and didn’t? What did you learn from that experience?