Our Giver of Obedience

I wonder what would come to mind if God spoke to me in a dream, as He did to Solomon, simply saying... "ASK." Can you imagine how God opening the door to His storage of all blessings, allowing Solomon to peek inside and request anything.

What would you ask for?
Me... It would probably be something selfish. Something too simple. Something that might not propel itself into the future.

But Solomon, realizing the limitations of his inexperience proclaimed,
“You have shown great and faithful love to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today." 1 Kings 3:6

Before he asked for anything FROM God, he recognized the mighty character OF God. And what a heavy burden that must have been... to walk in the shoes of David, a man after God's own heart. How does one live up to that legacy?

Solomon denies all his own selfish desires, humbles himself as God's servant, and asks for an obedient heart. WOW! I've never actually considered to ask for obedience. I mean, I've tried to be obedient. I've desired to have an obedient spirit. But I never considered asking for it.

Even though I've never had the responsibilities of that magnitude of leadership, I have, as a teacher and as a manager had to play judge... to discern between good an evil. And in many of those instance, I ended up on one extreme or the other. Pridefully thinking I got it all right... or humbled by the fact that I had no idea what I was doing.

So this new prayer, this new idea of asking for an obedient heart... this has definitely schooled me in my desires. So I join Solomon today, in this prayer.

Lord, as your servant, I ask for an obedient heart, not to judge people, but to judge myself and the choices before me. Fill me with discernment, and guide me away from evil and into goodness. For I realize that everything great in my life is from You... it is Yours. Help me to fulfill the purpose which you have generously given. In Jesus name, Amen.