Seeking a Better Heart

## Introduction

A.  I guess all of us can remember as a child asking for something special. Maybe it was a bicycle or a special clothing item or some special toy. We just knew that whatever the item was that it would bring us lots of happiness. I suppose, too, that most of us have thought about being granted three wishes by a magical genie. It would be interesting to find our what our wishes would be. As a kid, I thought people were working too hard on thinking of just three things to ask for. I always thought with my first wish, I would wish for unlimited wishes. Then I would never run out. You may have already heard the story about the guy who finds a magic lamp one day and upon rubbing it the genie appears. He is granted one wish. So the guy wishes for a highway from California to Hawaii stating that he wanted to go to Hawaii but was afraid of flying and traveling by boat. The genie assured him that he couldn't possibly do that. The sheer physics and logistics would prohibit having supports big enough to reach to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. To fulfill the wish would go against so many laws of nature that it was just impossible. So the genie told him to ask for something else. (The rest of the story will be told.)

B.  Solomon is given the same opportunity. God comes to him and offers to give him whatever he might ask for. Don't confuse God with a magic genie. God makes the offer, but this is about Solomon and not about God's ability to grant wishes. You see this is God's first communication with Solomon and Solomon is being given an opportunity to demonstrate what is important to him. We may know what Solomon asks for, but the question is what would you ask for. The text tells us that Solomon asked for wisdom and understanding in order to rule the people well. And God honored his desire. I want us to notice a couple of things from this text that will help us in getting a perspective about life which better coincides with God's will and purpose.

## Lessons

A.  Notice in verses 8–9, Solomon calls on David's name as he begins this conversation with God. Solomon is aware that his being king is in response to God's kindness to David. And Solomon's response is couched in David's reputation and God's promise to David. The point is that Solomon realizes that he does not stand on his own. He is in the position he is in because of his father and God's nature. None of us have gotten to where we are without the benefit of those who have gone before us. We make the mistake of thinking that whatever we do happens because we have done it. We depend on others. Even Solomon recognized that fact and because he did recognize that truth, he was humble as he approached God with his request.

    1.  Winston Churchill spoke to large crowds. Reportedly, he was asked "Doesn't it thrill you to know that every time you make a speech the hall is packed to overflowing?" "It's quite flattering," replied Sir Winston. "But whenever I feel that way, I always remember that if instead of making a political speech I was being hanged, the crowd would be twice as big."

    2.  Solomon knew that nay honor which came to him was not his to claim. After all, the promise had been make to David not him. And the one who made the promise did so out of his intense love and desire to honor David. This wasn't about Solomon, it was about God.

    3.  We need that kind of humility. Whatever life we may enjoy in this world; no matter how hard we work; happens because God has provided opportunities. It is foolish to think that we could do what we have done without God's help and it is foolish to take credit for that which God has provided.

    4.  You may be intelligent but God gave you the brain cells; you may be pretty but God formed you; you may be wealthy but God opened the doors of opportunity; you may possess spiritual insight but that insight is about God not you.

B.  Second, notice what Solomon asks for. He asks for wisdom and understanding in order to lead the people well. God identifies other things that Solomon could have asked for. He could have asked for wealth, honor, peace from his enemies, or a long life. But Solomon instead asked for that which would make him a good leader. So God grants him not only what he asked for but the other things as well. Notice that the one thing Solomon asked for was internal while the other things are externals. Could it be that God wants the internals right first and then the externals will take care of themselves?

    1.  God granted Solomon his request and added to it. But what if God hadn't added those other things? Don't get caught up in a quid pro quo God. God didn't have to add those other things to Solomon. Giving Solomon wisdom and understanding would have been enough. Nor are we to assume that when we get the inside right that wealth, health, and peace from enemies will follow.

    2.  Solomon knew what was important. Isn't this the same thing that Jesus said in Matthew 6? Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things (food and clothing) will be given to you. God wants our hearts to be right. He wants us to be in tune with him. His promise is to give us what we need. For most of us he has far exceeded that promise. But if the excess all went away tomorrow, our hearts would still need to be in tune with God.

    3.  Solomon didn't ask for wisdom believing that God would give him more. He asked believing that this would be what was really important in doing his work. So what is really important for you to do your work? I'm not talking about your job. I'm speaking of staying close to God and honoring him with your life. Do you need wealth, health, a long life, or honor from others?

    4.  What we need is a heart that is set on recognizing that our life is about God and not about us. We need a humble heart. We need a heart that is set on making sure that God looks good not that we look good. It isn't about us, it's about God. As soon as we listen to the voices of others around us, we will lose our focus on making sure that God get the honor. ILL. "Focus: losing one's focus."

    5.  There are many voices which call to us. Some of those voices want to tell us how honored we are. It is only by the kindness of God that you have what you have. Take care of the internals first and allow the externals to be God's gift to you. Invitation.

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