Daily Thought

The passage for today is full of beauty. Solomon’s dream brought him into touch with God. ‘Ask what I shall give thee’. The Lord threw open wide His treasures, and put them at the disposal of the young king. What abundance is there! In his inexperience he could have made so many extravagant requests.

The request that he made revealed the attitude of his heart, ‘I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in’ v. 7. Here is true lowliness of heart and mind. He faced a huge task for he was among a truly great people. Solomon realized that human ability was just not enough. Israel came to the zenith of its power and glory as a nation at this time. All the surrounding countries came to see and hear the wisdom and works of this great monarch. Yet ‘before honour is humility’, Prov. 15. 33.

As Solomon prayed, we can see he appreciated four things.

He appreciated the kindness and goodness of God, v. 6. Prayer is poor indeed if it has not within it a context of gratitude and thanksgiving. Solomon appreciated that without such mercy no throne would be his. We should pray with this constantly in mind, for where would we be without such mercy?

He also appreciated his complete inadequacy to rule in his own strength. Thus, when given amazing scope for asking blessing, he asked for the most important. He spoke out of a humble heart. What are our priorities when we come seeking God’s face? Notice what James says about right asking, Jas. 4. 1-3. So often God has to bring us to an end of ourselves before we pray aright.

Then Solomon appreciated the vastness of the task with which he was faced. Israel were a great people who could not be numbered. They were God’s people, and the task was stupendous. In his prayer he faced reality. Let us be aware today, that if our lives are committed to true prayer, we shall be in tune with the God who said that nothing is too hard for Him.

Finally, he appreciated that only God-given wisdom would be enough. And God gave him wealth, power, and glory as well.