“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
In yesterday’s episode, we examined King Solomon’s request to God when he was given the privilege to ask for whatever he wanted. King Solomon did not make his personal needs a priority. Instead, he put the accomplishment of God’s earthly agenda in the forefront. He was very specific; he wanted the keys with which to rule God’s people justly and wisely. King Solomon did what few of us would have done. He observed this formula: “Put the kingdom of God first, and every other thing will be added to it.” (Matt.6:33)
It was a different ball game when Herodias’ daughter had danced so well to please King Herod and his guests on his birthday, and the king had promised on oath to give her whatever she asked for; “…up to half of my kingdom.” (Matt. 14:23) Herodias jumped at this opportunity to get even with her opponent, John the Baptist, who had condemned the unholy union of king Herod with the wife of his brother Philip. Prompted by her mother, the girl returned to the king with this request: “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” (v8) Revenge!
Many of us do not know what to ask for because our eyes and hearts are focused on the things that are temporary not on the things that are eternal. Yes, we are carnal in diverse ways! However, God has also “set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Eccl. 3:11)
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us that [His] ways may be known on earth, and [His] salvation among all nations.”
(Ps.67:1-2)