What Do You Want?
You may remember that Solomon was given this kind of opportunity. “The Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and said, ‘Ask for whatever you want Me to give you.’” (1Kings 3:5) Solomon asked for a discerning heart to govern the people of God and to distinguish between right and wrong. This was a very “wise” choice, and it attracted even greater favor from God. Wisdom and discernment will take you a long way in life.
Moses approached God similarly, and expressed his wish even more profoundly. He said to God, “If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways, so I may know You and continue to find favor with You.” (Exodus 33:13) I think that this is one of the most powerful Kingdom insights in all of Scripture.
The central most important and valuable thing in life is to actually know God. To know Him and to experience His favor is life! He will give you wisdom and discernment. He is above and beyond resources, earthly relationships and abilities. He is the eternal prize!
It might be helpful to think about your desires and needs before you come to God with your requests. He hears your prayers; and chances are He will give you what you ask for… in His timing. But, what happens when you get what you asked for? Is it really what you want? Often our prayers, and even our wishes that we are afraid to share out loud, are too small and too temporal. We are centering in on things that won’t really last, nor amount to much. Moses, however, hit the mark – “Teach me Your ways, so I may know You and continue to find favor with You.”
In Christ you can enter into Moses’ prayer. As a child of God you have every right to boldly make His prayer your own. The Father is pleased with you, and He will give you this desire of your heart. Is this what you want – to know God and live in His favor? What a wonderful centerpiece for your prayer life!
Learning to wish with you,
