Put yourself in Solomon’s shoes, picture yourself in his place, replace his name with yours—what would you ask for? Would you chose possessions, pleasure, position, power, or praise? If God granted your request would you be satisfied? Just suppose you could–
— walk into the bank and cash a check for any amount.
— indulge in whatever activity that delights you the most.
— enter the White House and pick any office suited to your whims.
— rule over any nation, corporation, or organization that you desire.
— have your name in lights, your picture in the paper, a star in Hollywood, a spot in the Hall of Fame, the masses bowing down at your feet.
Then would you be happy? If so there is something terribly wrong in your life. If your affections are set upon the things of earth rather than things above you are out of step with God. Your priorities are wrong. If you are a Christian you can never be truly happy until the desires of your heart are in line with what God wants for your life. We ought to feel as Paul did when he said, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Phil. 3:7-8).
Others have had those things mentioned above and were miserable. If granted to you, you would probably fare no better than they. It is so sad to see multitudes spending their lives in pursuit of things that can never satisfy and are of no eternal value. Christians should do better! Solomon chose wisely. He said, “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people…”. He chose that which would enable him to fulfill God’s purpose for his life, and it was granted. God help us to do the same!
