One Wish

1 Kings 3:12-14

“I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart... moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for – both riches and honor...  and if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands, ...I will give you a long life.”

When I was a child, I always hope I’d somehow find that magic oil lamp and be granted three wishes. Mine then was to own Goya Fun Factory, for Voltes V to come alive, and to see Disneyland of course.  But since I never saw that lamp, blowing out birthday candles and tossing  coins in the wishing well became the alternates. I think I also did message in a balloon and a list for Santa, hehe :> But that’s what I believed in as a child. Somehow, a wish is that desire for something so far within reach but you hope to receive in an instant. Deep inside, you know it’s just impossible to happen. But at least you wished. Who knows?

Solomon was one blessed man to be granted one wish by the Almighty Himself. His was not a wish-upon-a-star thing, or some will of the wind toss. He was face to face with God. While some of us could have readily blurted out our wants given such opportunity, Solomon started with humble statements. It was not the typical Pinoy beating around the bush, trying not to appear overly and obviously excited. The depth of his request is proof enough that his opening words was in sincere acknowledgement of God’s graciousness to their family. He did not refuse the offer either, signifying his dependence for God’s hand on the matter. His one wish was wisdom - - a discerning heart to govern the people and to distinguish between right and wrong. Couldn’t he ask that in an installment basis, as the needs arise perhaps? Why not go with  Google’s  popular answers like be a millionaire or good health, world peace or have superman powers, even access to unlimited wishes maybe? Here we see his heart was all set not on his personal welfare or safety. Doing God’s will was top of his list. But why not security and wealth for the land, that’s not selfish thinking right? But is that what really the land needs, or is it just feeding them with wants.

Verse 10 said “God was pleased that he asked for this’.  As a parent, when my kids are sleeping especially, I often utter a prayer for God to grant me long life so I could take care of them as they grow up; wealth so we could provide for their health and education; and, safety for them, from bad influences and evil at large. I know this is God’s will for me, my duty as a parent. But pondering on Solomon’s wish, being likewise given a trust, shouldn’t wisdom be top of my list as well? I could spend many years with my kids, but without God’s wisdom, will those years even significantly count? If I could have the riches of  this world, will that guarantee our family’s happiness? And if I ask God for a problem-free life for them, how can they ever learn faith and hope? How else can they appreciate grace? Wisdom may not  appear as a pack of instant noodles to free you from hunger now, but it will definitely teach you how to find and make food for yourself, to free you from poverty for the days to come.  You may wish for wisdom anytime, and guess what? God may even add items to your cart which you did not wish for, say riches and honor? Solomon got a truckload. Who knows? :>