Most of us these days have some type of smart speaker. Whether it is Alexa, Google, Cortana or Siri, these devices can do some amazing things. Although I hear Cortana is on the way out...
These smart devices connect to the internet and open up access to knowledge of the entire World Wide Web. From recipes to weather forecasts to answers to math questions, these devices are a wonderful resource. But there is another smart speaker available to us that has been around since the beginning of time.
Unfortunately, this speaker does not speak audibly but does I believe talk to the heart. The secret to getting this speaker to open up is in knowing how to ask. The Lord God of the Bible was very involved with His people Israel back in the days of the Old Testament. He was available to the High Priests in the Temple. He made Himself available to Noah, Abraham, David and Solomon.
People have been asking God for things for thousands of years without any response. In the New testament, this scripture is kinda misleading.
But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
That is a bold statement and many have taken it to heart with disappointing results. People get angry when God does not answer their prayers. It drives many from the faith and has allowed the "scientists" of this world that due to this they can proclaim that there is no God and it is foolish to pray to Him.
Once again it is in the knowing how to ask that gets this Speaker to come to life in our little world. Solomon learned this back in 1 Kings 3. God prompted him to ask anything he wanted. Kinda like the Genie in the bottle.. What Solomon asked for, God delivered because of what he asked for. He did not ask for wealth or health or death to his enemies. He asked for wisdom. Let's read together
1 Kings 3
"So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 14 And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”
There it is! Solomon asked for wisdom. We too are able to ask for this very same thing. I know it would be great to ask for wealth or a new car and hope it magically appears but it just does not work that way. It is reiterated in the New Testament in the Book of James.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
God gives liberally. However there is a catch. God stated to Solomon that if he obeyed His commands he would live a long life. There is one command in the 10 Commandments that states just this.
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Exodus 20:12
So the secret is to ask God for wisdom and to obey His commands and He will give liberally. Does not matter if you are black or white, male or female, Jew or Gentile. God answers all who ask rightly.
Try this..
Hey God, I love you and what you have done for me. Thanks for the gift of Your Son to die in my place so that I might have eternal life. I promise to live according to your ways and not my own and to live by your commands. Please bless me with the wisdom I need to navigate this sinful world and overcome it like you did. In your Son's precious name I pray, Amen..
You might be pleasantly surprised at the answer. Alexa cannot give us the gift He provides and will never be able to replace God.
And that is the Whole Truth!
May God truly bless you in your walk with Him.
And remember, God always answers His kneemail.
