You can read in 1 Kings 3 that God came to Solomon in his sleep and gave him a blank check. “Ask what you wish Me to give you.” There is a lot that is remarkable about this dream-encounter with God but I am struck most right now about what Solomon did when he woke.
Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He returned to Jerusalem and stood before the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, where he sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he invited all his officials to a great banquet.
How many of us would have blamed the dream on last night’s pizza, or said “well, we’ll see how things play out and see whether that was real or not?” But not Solomon. He got up, travelled some distance, worshipped and gave offerings that cost him, and then threw a party to celebrate what God spoke to him. He started acting on the word, not just considering the word. Solomon’s faith took hold of the promise, and because of that he was able to walk in what was promised, and because of that we know him as the wisest man in the Old Testament.
How many dreams, words from the Lord, and promises of the Scripture do we treat with a limp “maybe” rather than taking hold by faith and changing the way we walk? I’m not sure we have an altogether different offer from Solomon’s.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – John 15:7
What will you choose? And when God speaks, will you take hold of the word by faith?
(By the way, we are so grateful to have just received all that we need to cover our need related to the Ox. Thanks so much for your gifts and prayers.)