Sermon at the House of God

Pray for God's Will

1 KINGS 3

In this chapter, there are some major points that God wants to emphasize.

1. Place of worship. King Solomon offered sacrifices at local worship places because at that time, the temple honouring the Lord has not yet been built. It is similar to us. We used to go around worshipping in different places. before we have come to this place as the place chosen by the Lord for us to come together. It is not a big place, it is just like a "tent" a small unit of people God chose to carry out His plans. But no matter how small, we know that the presence of God is before us when we worship. I believe this is what matters.

 To be able to serve God in simple ways is already an honor. To be used for the glory of God is something to be grateful for. How much more to lead for God's cause? But if we think of it, it is also a big responsibility.

Personally, I have felt how heavy this is. Many times, I want to give up, especially when I lose friends and people dear to me because I stand up for what I believe God is making me do.

Every time I get into arguments because I cannot fully explain what is happening in my spirit that makes me do what I do. Every time I disappoint people makes me think that if I could only go back to who I were. I WOULD NOT CARE A THING. Because I am used to minding my own business. But when you serve God. You do not belong to yourself anymore. You cannot just think of your own business because God's people become your business. You become an ambassador of His Kingdom. Of His will.

Just like Solomon who had inherited the kingdom of his father David. Solomon understood that great power comes with great responsibility. David his father had been a great servant of God and was very rich and led great number of people which was handed down to Solomon. You know, even with just a small group of people, it is difficult to lead. Because you deal with different personalities and character. Not everybody would obey you and share your visions. Most of the time, people would question. Seldom that you would be able to meet people who follow without question. Which is very ironic because when you really are a servant of the Lord, you obey without question but follow His perfect will.

But no matter how sure you are of what God is making you do because each person has their own mind. Many times they also think they are right in their own understanding. Many people do not obey God's instruction because they lean on their own understanding without inquiring God. When people do not inquire God before acting, that's when problems and disagreement arise. Because it would conflict with what God really wants to happen. Because if only people would inquire first, the Spirit of God will always arrive in unity. Because God never contradicts Himself.

God asking Solomon about what he wanted was a test of character. What else would Solomon want? Remember Solomon was already King and he already has the power. If Solomon had been greedy, he would have asked for MORE. Instead, Solomon humbled himself saying,

"Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around."

He was like a child. Simple in understanding. He admitted his shortcoming and took it before the Lord. And so he asked for wisdom so he could lead God's people. It is the very exact thing that I have been asking from God every time. And I believe all leaders feel the same. Because believe me. I may be talkative, but when you work for God, maski ano mo pa ka babaan, kulang gyapon ang words to describe kung ano makatilingala ang mga butang nga ginhimo, ginapahimo, kag pagahimuon pa sang Ginuo. It is simply beyond words. But we must always try to make people understand it.

I have felt what Solomon was feeling when he said,

8 And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! 9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?"

Many times, I would like to pass on this responsibility to others because I would also want to think only of myself. Of my plans for my life. But I can't. Because it MUST be the Lord's will that must be done in my life and not mine. Of course, there is free will. I can choose. But where would I go after knowing His truth?

That's when I understood what it meant to be "prisoners of Christ" because there is nowhere that we could go to. Because we have come to know Him. And so we suffer. Our physical suffers. Not because we don't have any choice, but because we know Him, we try to become more patient because we know that in the end, we will be rewarded. In fact, some of us already feel the peace in our lives. Challenges are constant but we know that we are helped.

"10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom."

The Lord was pleased because Solomon asked for something that is in line with His plan. Common people would usually ask for wealth and popularity. Solomon did not. He asked for something that he could use to carry out the will of God in his life.

11 So God replied, "Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies— 12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! 13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!

We can see clearly God's character in this verse. That just like Solomon, when we pray for something that is in line with God's will for us, God grants us more than what we desire. Because His plan for us is usually greater than the plans that we have for ourselves. But first, accept His will in our lives. Be patient and wait on Him. Because if we do, God's promises is also clear.

14 And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life."

We are in a ministry that is beyond our imagination. Because we all share the same thing. In our hearts, we sought Him. But for us to fully function, we must first accept the will of God in our lives.

We have been taught how to take our prayers to the throne of God. I believe there will be no hindrance to what we will be asking for if we have confessed and bound the atmosphere. At this time, let us pray for something that would help us accomplish that task.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we glorify You Lord for all that You are.  You are the God of Wisdom and You alone know what we truly need.  We thank Your for giving us always what we deserve.  Right now Lord we know that there are things that are difficult to understand but we trust Your perfect will for our lives and Your ministry.  We pray to surrender everything to You Lord.  Strip us off of any stubbornness and confusion that Your Will may be clear to us.  Help us recognize what it is that we truly need to pray for that we may become of good use for Your glory. 

We pray for wisdom Father for every decision that we make in our lives.  May whatever it is that we plan and decide on would bring glory to You and You alone. May You delight in what we ask of You and may you not find us unreasonable or selfish.

Help us not to cling on anything that is not in line to Your Will Father.  Help us let go of things that are making it difficult for us to follow you.  Discipline us if there is anything that You need to correct in us that we may not go astray from Your path. Lord, let Your will be done upon us all.  Remind us that we are here to fulfill Your purpose in us. 

In times we may not understand Your ways, we pray Lord that you give us accepting and obedient hearts. Help us remember that obedience is always better than sacrifice. Increase our faith in You Lord and give us patience to wait on You more until You are done with what you have begun in us.  We put our trust and hope in Your completely that all things are working together for our good.

And so we thank You Lord, despite of everything and every suffering in Your name beecause we know that in our suffering, our perseverance is being built up, and in our perseverance, our character is being shaped, and this lead us to having hope that good things await us because we choose to wait on You.   

All these Lord we ask in Jesus name.