1 Kings 3:5 – “In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was reminded of a truth we sometimes seem to overlook.    The principles Jesus taught were rooted in actions, words, deeds, and directives found in the Old Testament.

One example is Solomon’s request to God.  In 1 Kings 3:5, God came to him in a dream and asked, “Ask what I should give you.” What would you have focused on? Do not get religious in faux piety!

Solomon’s request focused on service, not self.  Many of our prayers are focused on “I want or I need. It is ME.”   God said, “Son, since you did not focus on yourself, I will give you what you asked for and what you didn’t.” Does that sound familiar? How about Matthew 6:33?

In 1 Kings 6:12-13, we confront the Covenant principle of “If” – “Then.”  If you will walk or live according to my directives, I will give you. Have you encountered that in the New Testament? “If you abide in My Words, and My Words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and I will do it.” (John 15:7).

In 1 Corinthians 10:21-22, we see a vivid picture of someone who professes Christ but lives with one foot in the world and one in the church. They claim knowledge and faith but try to drink of the cup of the LORD and the cup of the flesh.  Their lives reveal the hidden corruption of the heart.

If our focus is on Jesus and others, we will seek to please Him and seek the best good of others before ourselves.  In 1 Corinthians 10:31, we have the key. Every word, every act, every thought should have one purpose: glorifying God! Do they?

1 Corinthians 8:6 makes life clear.  We exist for God.  We exist through Christ.  We can fool ourselves, but we cannot fool the Holy Spirit.  The saying, though not found in Scripture, “God helps those who help themselves,” has validity.  If we desire and take steps to live, do, and be right, God helps!  He is waiting for us to make the choice.  Only all-in is IN.  There is no sort of with God.

When we take one step toward God, He responds like the Prodigal Father and runs toward us. The decision is ours. The provision is His.