Understanding Solomon; Understanding Christ

"and God said, Ask what I shall give thee" (1 Kings 3:5)

What in the world does that mean? The above scripture, asked of newly made King Solomon in a dream, presents the problem of prayer: God knows what we need, and what we'll ask for, so why pray at all? There are a thousand different answers to this, but in the case of Solomon it appears to be an affirmation that Solomon "loved the LORD" (1Kings3:3). Apparently, Solomon not only loves the Lord, but knows the Lord, otherwise he would not have known what the Lord would want to give him. Also, the verse indicates that whatever Solomon asks, God will give. And that is a pretty big promise, one that the Lord doesn't give easily.

Something similar happens to Nephi in the Book of Helaman 10:5--"And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will."

Both Nephi and Solomon are so close to God, understand Him so well, that they would never ask that which is "contrary" to His will, and therefore God is liberal in His promises to them, and in giving unto them power. Now, what does Solomon ask for? "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" (1Kings3:9) Not only does Solomon humbly acknowledge God's covenant people, but admits that they are greater than his powers to rule, and so needs the Lord's help, not to dominate them, but to have an understanding heart of discernment.

If this then is not contrary to God's will, and may be in fact God's will, then might we also assume that that is how God Himself rules? With an understanding heart to discern between the good and the bad? Solomon asked and received. God had to pay a much higher price. The price for an understanding heart was the sacrifice of the Son of God, the atonement of Jesus Christ, that made Him suffer both body and spirit all our afflictions and pains and sins, that He might understand us. And in understanding us, He might become the perfect judge.

Solomon didn't ask to become a good or wise ruler, he asked to become more like Christ. I pray that I too might pray for an understanding heart, but I admit, I don't know if I am willing to pay the price. But I don't think I can afford not to.

David's Redemption

"As the LORD liveth, that has redeemed my soul out of all distress" (1 Kings 1:29)
Here we are again with David and Bathsheba, their son Solomon anointed king by Nathan the prophet and Zadock the priest. And David describes the Lord as rescuing him from his distresses. But David sinned, fell from his exaltation, right? I'll take Christ's cue and not even try to judge David, that's the Lord's job. But, what's going on here? God got angry at David, why isn't David bitter and cursing, like so many before and after him?
Read the Psalms. Read the poetry of David's repentance, the beauty and anguish of soul that he bared before the Lord. He turned. He gave it all to God. And his soul wasn't redeemed just from sin, but from distress. Yes, this I will judge. David tasted the atonement, and it was sweet to his soul.
What humility for the king of Israel, the hero of Judah! But he humbled himself. We all sin, and any sin, no matter how small, seperates us from God. Only the mercy of Christ makes it possible to come to the throne of God, the mercy seat. And David went there, and obtained mercy. Maybe that's why God loved David, not because he was brave and valiant and righteous, but because he obeyed the command to "Come unto me," he continually turned to the Lord in repentance. And that is the only way we can approach, and find that One has made us clean, washed us- a thing we cannot do for ourselves.
Maybe that's all that God really wants, for us to knock at the door, say we're sorry, and with the words "thy sins are forgiven thee," welcomes us home.

A Good Excuse

Okay, so I don't really have a good excuse. I'm working hard so that I can graduate next month, I'm working on a few other projects, and I'm reading the New Testament at an accelerated rate--and I'm used to chewing my food slowly. But, there is something to be said about swallowing God whole. Though I'm afraid that I'm like Moses after his big vision, "And the presence of God withdrew from Moses...he fell unto the earth," it's a rush, but it leaves you exhausted. And, "Satan came tempting" (Moses 1:9,12) Big revelations are followed by big temptations.

But, I'm back in the game, and I think will continue doing person study, continue this search for God, by going back to where I left off in the Old Testament.

Before that though, just one observation. While I have been consuming the New Testament, I love how often the Gospels talk about Jesus going to a "desert place" or a "solitary place"--a sacred grove where He could be alone with God, receive strength, guidance, and peace. Which is why I appreciate this: "Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter" (Mark 1:45) That's what Christ does, right? He takes us to where He is, a clean place, a quiet place of peace and revelation and the face of God. That's the great commandment: Come unto me. Shall we not go?

Change of Plans

Sorry that I haven't written anything for a while. My excuses:

1. Just started Summer Term (my last two classes for my undergrad then I will graduate as a proud owner of a BOA from BYU this August)

2. One of my summer classes is the New Testament, specifically the Gospels, so I'm jumping ahead and will be reading the NT for a while (and posting all about it on here)

3. AKA life just got a little busy

But I'm back. For all of my life I have worn a wrist watch, I just did, I was one of those people. Only took it off for the shower. Had a tan line there. But, once I got back from my mission (where everything was about time, time, time) I took it off and never put it back on again. Today, a year and a half later, I put a watch back on. I hope there is some symbolism in this, that what I lost has been regained, if in a different form, a better state. I'll be mortal only once, I'll only feel the slow and fast tick tock in this life. I better enjoy it.