31 March | Teens
«Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?» 1 Kings 3:7-9
Imagine if, in a dream, God appeared to you and told you that you can ask for anything. What would you choose? A new video game? A newer phone? To be famous? To have a lot of money? A house on the beach? It is hard to choose just one thing, isn’t it? The Bible tells us that David’s son Solomon experienced something like this! God asked what he wanted, and you know what Solomon answered? He asked for wisdom and discernment to be a good leader for the people of Israel: “Give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil.” God was so pleased with Solomon’s request that he made him the wisest man in the world!
The Bible, in James 4:3, says that sometimes we ask God for things and we do not receive them because we ask badly. Unfortunately, many of the things we ask God for are to satisfy our wants and desires. God gave wisdom to Solomon to bless not only him, but all the people of Israel. May we make such requests: to bless not only our own lives, but also the lives of others!
Take Action
Take a piece of paper and write on it a special request to God, something that can help not only you but also the people around you. You could ask for wisdom to make good decisions, for kindness, to be a good friend, or for courage to help others. Keep that paper inside your Bible, and every time you see it, remember to pray for that request.