What would you do if the Creator of the universe came to you and said:
“Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
That’s the question we’re being asked to contemplate here.
Seriously, how would you respond?
Actually, besides Solomon, there’s another famous Bible character who was in a similar situation.
I’m talking about Peter when he was being questioned by Yeshua.
Take a look at this famous passage:
“When they finished eating together,
Yeshua said, “Simon, son of John,
Do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know
That I truly love you.”
Yeshua said, “Feed my little lambs.”
Again, Yeshua said, “Simon, son of John,
Do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know
That I love you.”
Yeshua said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time Jesus asked him,
“Simon, son of John, do you
Love me?”
Peter felt hurt at the question,
asked the third time by Jesus.
“Lord, you know all things,”
He said, “You know I love you.”
Yeshua said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”
-John 21:15-17
What Yeshua asked Peter 3 times was no normal question.
It was an inquiry that pierced the heart and penetrated to the very core of who Peter was.
Questions of a divine nature have a tendency to do that to us.
There’s an important lesson here.
When the Lord asks you a question, it is meant to be pondered deeply…
Not answered in a knee-jerk fashion as Peter did.
Nothing good can come from being impulsive in this case.
What can we learn from this exchange between Peter and Yeshua?
See, Yeshua wanted Peter to respond by saying something like, “As you have sacrificed yourself for us, in like manner, I too should sacrifice myself and do all I can to take care of your flock.”
Yet, what do we know happened to Peter before this exchange?
He ended up denying his master 3 times.
Yeshua asked Peter 3 times to mirror the 3 denials.
Not to shame him.
But to restore him.
And that’s your takeaway for today.
When the Lord asks you a question…
Even simple questions like…
“What are you doing?”
Or
“Where are you going?”
They are not meant for quick answers.
They should cause you to enter into a state of deep reflection.
If the Lord asks you, “What are you doing?”…
It really means…
Is your life aligned with My Will?
Or, if the Lord asks you, “Where are you going?”…
It really means…
Is the direction of your life headed towards heaven or hell?
The next time we meet, we’ll take a look at Solomon’s example of how to respond to the Lord when He asks you a question.
He is a positive example worthy of emulation.
See ya next time.
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