By Brent DeWees

 A man found a lamp and started to rub it. Sure enough, out popped a genie. The genie told him he had three wishes. For his first wish the man said, “I’d like a beach house with 20,000 square feet, a pool, and a boat slip.” Poof! He was in his new house. The genie then asked his next wish. The man replied, “I’d like a black BMW, fully loaded, with the best stereo system money can buy.” Poof! The man found himself driving one fine car. As he was cruising down the highway, a commercial came on the radio and he started singing along, “Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Meyer wiener
. . .” Poof! 

If God granted just one wish, what would it be? Would you wish for a thousand wishes? 

Wisdom

Solomon was given such a choice. God visited him in a dream saying, “Ask what you wish me to give you.” Solomon asked for wisdom, realizing he was incapable of ruling God’s people on his own. God responded favorably because Solomon’s request was not selfish or self-centered, but showed reverence for God and respect for God’s people. Granting requests for things that honor God and serve others brings pleasure to God. 

Because Solomon pursued wisdom, his kingdom became a place of respect, justice, prosperity, peace, progress, and reverence for God. These qualities will come to us as well when we value, desire, and pursue godly wisdom.

Truth 

Two women argued before Solomon about who was the real and rightful mother of a child. While we may not know all the avenues the mother pursued seeking justice, we do know she would not rest until she could plead her case before the highest authority in the land. We also know she sacrificed her time, pride, and even the experience of mothering for the sake of the truth and the life of the child.

Though a social outcast, this woman’s plea encourages each of us to seek the throne of God on behalf of our children, parents, and siblings.

Brent DeWees is the preaching minister of the Ripley Church of Christ in Ripley, West Virginia. He, his wife Diane, and son Nathanael live in Sherman, West Virginia.