What Would You Ask For?
What would you ask for if you had but only one wish? It is believed that the tradition of candles on a cake can be traced back to the Greeks, who adorned cakes to honor the goddess Artemis. It is thought that candles represented light from the moon, a symbol associated with Artemis. And it was believed that smoke carried prayers to the heavens, thus the tradition of making a wish before blowing out the candles might be traced back that belief. History has recorded that in 1746 Count Ludwig Von Zinzendorf celebrated his birthday with a cake that had the number of candles equal to his age.
Regardless of whether or not you blow out birthday cake candles, for most of us, if we only had one wish, we would ask for some form of health and wealth. You might use different words, but boil it down, and we all desire health and wealth, two things that often allude us.
As King Solomon was establishing his rule over the kingdom, he was granted “one wish” by God. In 2 Chronicles 1:7 we read – “That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’”
It would seem that God had just given King Solomon a free pass to ask for anything he wanted. Solomon was wealthier than every other king (1 Kings 10:23), but would he desire more wealth? We are also told that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3), but maybe he still wanted more women? Isn’t it true that you sometimes have enough but deep down you desire more? Maybe in addition to all his wealth and all his women, Solomon desired to be the strongest man alive or to live many more years. It appeared that Solomon could ask for any or all of those and God would grant his wish.
But instead of asking for more of worldly things, Solomon desired only wisdom. Here is what we find in vv.8-10 – “Solomon answered God, ‘You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?’”
It took great humility to simply ask for wisdom. And because Solomon only desired wisdom, he got so much more. Here is what we read in vv.11-12 – “God said to Solomon, ‘Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.’”
What’s the takeaway? If we desire the right thing, having the heart and mind of God, seeking after the things of God, we get that and so much more! Jesus puts it this way. In Matthew 6, He is teaching on seeking “God-provisions” first, above all else, and here is what we read – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you (v.33, HCSB).”
So, I ask you, what is your one desire, your one wish?
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