2 Chronicles 1

“Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?” (2 Chronicles 1:10, NKJV)

If God appeared to you today and told you to ask for anything you wanted, what would you ask for? Sound too good to be true? That is exactly what happened to Solomon. God appeared to him at Gibeon after he offered a thousand burnt offerings. So Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to judge and rule over Israel. God was so pleased with Solomon’s request that He promised to give him the wisdom he asked for and everything else that he didn’t ask for—riches, wealth and honor. You might say that Solomon won the jackpot!

What you most desire from God says much about what is most important to you. What is your master passion? What makes your heart sing? When Solomon was young he simply wanted to be a good king. It’s a pity that as he grew older his desires became more diffused and complicated. He ignored the wisdom he sought in his younger days and multiplied horses, wives and wealth, which was something God told the kings of Israel not to do (Deuteronomy 17:14-17). Solomon’s foreign wives turned his heart away from the LORD in his later years.

But Solomon’s initial desire was good and praiseworthy. The quest for wisdom and knowledge is something we should all imitate.

“Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:5–7, NKJV)

The beautiful thing is that wisdom is available to everyone who seeks it. God has given us His wisdom in His Word. When we know Jesus Christ, then we know wisdom, for Christ is the Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). His Spirit dwells within us to give us Christ’s wisdom according to our need. And we are told that if we lack wisdom, we may ask God who gives it liberally and without finding fault, and it will be given to us (James 1:5). We can rest assured that whenever we ask God for wisdom, He is well pleased with our request. And we will have His wisdom the moment that we need it!

“Heavenly Father, thank you that you have opened the door wide to provide wisdom to everyone who asks. Grant to us today the wisdom and knowledge we need to faithfully do your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”