Gospel for God’s Children by Linda Shields:
“If You Could Have 3 Wishes”
In the movie "Aladdin," Aladdin, who is a young street urchin in Agrabah, finds a magic lamp with a genie trapped inside. Aladdin rubs the lamp, freeing the genie, who is so grateful he gives Aladdin 3 wishes.
Wow, that would great to have the opportunity to wish for anything you could ever want.
Did you know that really did happen to a person— a real live person was offed anything he wanted, anything he could wish for. That person was King Solomon. This account of Solomon is found in 1 Kings chapter 3 starting at verse 3.
Solomon loved the Lord and followed all the instructions of his Father, David. Solomon offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local altars, the most important of these altars was at Gibeon. The King went there and offered a thousand burnt offerings. That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and God said, " What do you want ? Ask, and I will give it to you!"
Can you imagine what Solomon could ask for? He could ask God for anything and the Lord God himself would give it to him, and this is what he asked for.
"You were wonderfully kind to my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued this great kindness to him today by giving him a son to succeed him. O Lord my God, now you have made me king instead of my father, David, and I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around. Here I am among your chosen people, a nation so great they are too numerous to count! Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great nation of yours?"
Well! This is Solomons's wish, to be 'smart' so he could know the difference between right and wrong. This wish is a little different than what most people would ask for. Most folks would ask for great wealth, fame, swimming pool, and Solomon asked to be smart!
But wait a minute, there's more.
The Lord was pleased with Solomon's reply and was glad that he had asked for wisdom. So God said he would give him what he asked for, and he gave Solomon a wise and understanding mind such as no one else ever had or ever will have! And he gave Solomon what he didn't ask for - riches and honor! No other king in all the world would be compared to him for the rest of his life. God also said, "And if you follow me and obey my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life. "
Wow! Our God is great , he gave Solomon not only what he asked for, but made that request the greatest ever, and he gave him what he didn't ask for and made that the greatest also! God also gives us wonderful treasures to this day too. He hasn't given us wonderful gifts like Solomon, but of course we aren't in charge of governing his people, Israel, but he has given us life, he cares for us, and he has given us his Son, Jesus, that if we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are made children of God and heirs to the riches of heaven. Galatians 3: 29 says, " And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you. "
Our wishes do come true through Christ Jesus. He gives us eternal life, he cares for our needs, and is with us always. Let us thank God for his gifts and promises to us.
Thank you Lord for all you give us and the promises you have made to us. Thank you for your son Jesus, who made all this possible. In Jesus name we pray, Amen
God Bless