This time of year, many are busy making Christmas lists. In my family, the question is often – what do you need? We are practical and like to give practical gifts: kitchen towels, new wallets, clothes, household items. Other families enjoy exchanging uncommon gifts and seeing who can come up with the most unique idea. Regardless of the kind of gifts, Christmas is the time of year that causes us to think of giving and receiving.
We celebrate Christmas because of the best gift that was ever given and received: Jesus. Because God loved us, He gave His only Son that we might have eternal life. If God never gave us another gift, we would have everything we need. But the Giver of all gifts continues to give.
He gives us the Holy Spirit, His Word, His presence, and much more. (See my blog- 15 Spiritual Blessings to read about other gifts – https://bit.ly/2RkkJOF )
Thinking about these gifts caused me to ask myself: If I made a Christmas list for God, what would I ask for? This is not a novel concept. In ancient times, God came to one of His followers and invited him to ask for whatever he wanted.
“At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”1 Kings 3:5
If God appeared to you today, what would you ask for?
Health? Financial blessings? Restored relationships? Greater faith? Material possessions?
We should never think that anything is too unimportant or too much to ask from God. God wants what is good for us. Because He loves us, He cares about what we care about. If we ask for something within His will, He will give it to us.
Solomon asked for wisdom and it pleased God.
“’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?’ The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” 1 Kings 3:9-10
When we ask for things God wants to give us, it pleases Him. Think about some of the promises He makes in His Word and ask for them: provision, protection, guidance, wisdom, etc.
Ask to be more like Jesus. God wants us to be like Him. He is in the continual process of transforming His children into the image of His Son. He is pleased when we ask to be holy, when we ask for more faith, and when we ask to know Him better. He will give us anything we need to be like Jesus.
Ask for what you need to serve Him. God wants us to be useful to Him, and He will provide everything we need to do so. We can confidently ask for opportunities, wisdom, and equipping. God will never call us to a task and then refuse to provide what we need to accomplish it. As we prayerfully obey, He will provide what we need for each step.
God gave Solomon more than he asked for.
“Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.” 1 Kings 3:11-13
This year, make a Christmas list for God. Ask Him for the things that will help you be more like Jesus. Ask Him to equip you for ministry. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Ask Him to teach you to follow His Word. Receive each gift with thankfulness and a determination to use it to accomplish His will.
All Scripture is NKJV.
What will you ask God for this year?
Made Ready 