Wednesday 01 June 2016

Psalm: Psalm 93

Background

Have you ever been given a blank cheque? Or have you ever playedthat game where you decide what you would do if you won thelottery? Solomon has this very experience when in a dream God tellshim to ask for anything and he would be given it (verse 5). Hecould have asked for anything, wealth, riches a long life butinstead he chooses something much more worthy in God's eyes.

Before making his request Solomon first acknowledges all thathas done not for him but for his father David (verse 6). He thenremarks on God's continued blessing to David by making him kingeven though he is "only a little child" who does not know how tocarry out his duties (verse 7). It is because of this inexperiencethat Solomon does not choose the riches of the world as his gift.Instead he requests a discerning heart and the ability todistinguish between right and wrong so that he can adequatelygovern the nation (verse 9).

Often we hear this as a request for wisdom, but it may be thatthis is a step too far. To know something is right or wrong is onething, to act correctly on that knowledge is to be truly wise.There are times when Solomon is most definitely wise and uses hisgift of discernment to best govern his people (1Kings 3:16-28). There are also times when despite his gift ofknowledge he chooses to do that which he knows is wrong (1Kings 11:1-13).

Maybe it is because of the burden this request would bring toSolomon that God rewards him with those things he did not ask for.To live a life knowing the difference between what is good and whatis evil has always come with a high price (Genesis 2:17).

Solomon awakes and immediately begins to change his ways inlight of God's newly given gift. In the opening verse we are toldthat he is offering sacrifices at one of the high places at Gibeon(verse 4). He then returns to Jerusalem and to the tent of meetingwhere the ark of the Lord's covenant resides, and offers sacrificesin the place where God would always meet with people.

To Ponder

• What would you ask for if God appeared to you as God did toSolomon?

• What are the gifts that you feel God has given you?