The Blessing of Wisdom

Friday, June 1, 2018

Last Sunday I posted a proposed memory verse for the week: Psalm 37:4-5. Part of that passage says this:

Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

This is an interesting thing, really. God gives us the desires of our hearts when we truly delight in Him. Interestingly enough, those desires are affected by the relationship that we have with our Beloved. As we get to know Him and delight more and more in Him, our desires become more and more like His. So it is natural that He would give them to us -- because they are His desires, too.

I have an interesting example of that for you. 

Once upon a time there was a young man who was made king of the land. God asked Him what he wanted more than anything. The response was not for fame or fortune or long life or victory in battle. No. The king asked God for wisdom and knowledge so that he could govern the people well.

. . . since you have . . . asked for . . . wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have. (II Chronicles 1:11-12)

The king was Solomon. He ruled over Israel for many years. The wisdom which he sought was reflected in his request -- for that was a wise petition, indeed. God was very pleased to give him what he wanted -- and then some.

If we are willing to truly delight in the Lord, focusing on Him all the time, our desires truly will become aligned with His. So when we ask Him for something, it isn't selfish or outside of God's character. And he takes joy in providing it -- and then some.

Lord, as we have lived our lives for you over these however-many years, thank you that you have revealed more and more of your character to us. As we have sought your will, you have blessed us with the desires of our hearts more times than we can count. But you have also blessed us with things for which we did not ask. And we thank you for your generosity.

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