Are You Ready to Receive?

Scripture tells us that our Heavenly Father stands ready to pour out blessings on his people if they would only ask. Matthew 7:7 and Philippians 4:6 urge us to ask for and seek God's blessing and to bring all of our requests to Him with an attitude of thankfulness. While sometimes God's answer to our prayers is to wait on His prefect timing (Psalm 27:14), we must also be aware that if we ask for the wrong things for the wrong reasons or for our own comfort, He will not bless us (James 4:3).

1 Kings 3:5-14 gives us a beautiful picture of God's desire to bless those who ask for the right things for the right reasons. God appears to Solomon in a dream as he is about to assume the throne from his father (King David) and tells him to ask for whatever he wants. Instead of focusing on himself and his own desires, Solomon first recalls the way God had blessed his father (v. 6) and then humbly acknowledges his own limitations and the greatness of the task before him (v. 7-8). Then Solomon makes his request: "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours? (v.9)"

Now watch God's response. He recognizes that Solomon didn't ask for personal wealth and pleasures and that he asked for wisdom only so that he could more effectively lead his people. Then God promises Solomon that he will give him wisdom greater than any man who has ever lived (v.12). He also gives him blessings that he never even asked for--wealth, honor and prestige beyond what anyone else would ever have (v.13) and the promise of lifetime reward for his faithfulness (v.14).

Having an attitude like Solomon's---one that acknowledges how great God is and how limited we are, one that seeks blessing to help bless others and one that thirsts for righteousness (Matthew 6:33)---opens the door for Him to give blessings. Are you ready to receive?