(2nd Oct 2011)A desire which the Lord was pleased

Sermon20111002

A desire which the Lord was pleased

1Kings 3:10~15

 

 

 

 

This story is very well-known to us. When Solomon became a king, he were in a many difficulties; 1) a pressure of his father David who was made remarkable achievement in the history of Israel 2) his enemies' attack on him in order to gain the crown like David's first son, Adonijah

However, he solved the problems on his own as treating liege of former King David well and eliminating his enemy resolutely. Moreover, he made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt and married his daughter for making peace although it is a broken law to get married gentiles. After marrying her, he finished building his palace and the temple of the LORD, and the wall around Jerusalem.

How great and wise! He is very great by a view of human. But, he wanted to make right relationship with the LORD in order to rule over a country. So, he offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. Even though he was a sinner who married a gentile and sacrificed at the high places, the LORD was happy to receive his sacrifice because He knew a truth of Solomon. He said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." "give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong" Solomon answered.

The LORD was pleased of his saying because he asked the LORD not his own like richness, power or honour but selfless one like wisdom to reign people who The LORD entrusts with him, having stewardship. The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.

According to verse 11, Solomon firstly did not ask long life. The period of kingship is not limited. Long life is a blessing to kings of a country which are able to ruin it till their deaths with power and honour. But "long life" is not always a blessing; in chapter 20, 2 Kings, Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The Lord added fifteen years to his life by his earnest prayers. But he had a big mistake!! At that time Merodach-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of Hezekiah's illness. Hezekiah received the messengers and showed them all that was in his storehouses--the silver, the gold, the spices and the fine oil--his armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. Finally, the messengers asked their king to attack Juda and gain all precious things. Then they overthrew a dynasty of Juda.

Second, Solomon did not ask richness. It is obvious to ask richness as a king of a country comparing other countries. Third, Solomon did not ask life of his enemies. There are so much dangers to get his life in contest with other countries or inner countries. He did not care this problem because wars always take innocent lives of people.

Knowing his heart, the LORD promised him to "give him a wise and discerning heart and give him what he had not asked for--both riches and honor--so that in his lifetime he would have no equal among kings"(vers. 12-13).

What is your hope to the Lord? Mostly your prayer is " please meet a good boss and company to earn more money and easy & safe working" This is right indeed? You have worked hard without keeping the LORD's day. What about the result? you had been apart from Him. When you got money, what did you do? maybe once you threw away one's money or you can see some of your friends have affair with another women in Korea. NOW YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR PRAYER "OH, LORD I CAME HERE TO EARN MONEY FOR MAKING HAPPINESS FOR MY FAMILY BUT I WANT TO POSSESS A HOPE WHICH YOU WANT IN KOREA" In the present, over 70% of populations in Korea are not Christians. Have tried to show you are a Christian who believe in Jesus Christ? You had traditional faiths of Christian family in Philippines. You are little disciples and lay missionaries for Korean people who do not know the love of God. What have you been doing here? Did you show the light of Jesus Christ through your lives in Korea? So, please we have to remember a word of Zephaniah 3:17; "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

YES! IT IS! we are His joy to send His gospel to Korean people as Christians. I want you to have a hope of the LORD, be blessed without any limits by Him, and solve all your problems, then give Him honour.

A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL NATIONS 2011