GOD—The GIVER of So Much More!
NOTHING—apart from Christ—is worth pursuing &
Apart from Christ—NOTHING—can fill the hole that remains in our soul.
NOTHING!
Education.
We can search for every degree and scrap of knowledge—all the education found on the face of this earth, and still our being would not be filled.
Pleasure.
We can search for every possible “good” feeling and pleasure found during our lifetime, and still our being would not be filled.
Possessions.
We can acquire everything, all the possessions our heart desires this side of eternity, and still our being would not be filled.
Relationships.
We can befriend and surround ourselves with an enormous amount of people and close relationships—and still our being would not be filled.
Apart from Almighty God, our existence is totally and utterly—empty.
Solomon knew this; in fact, when Solomon was first granted the kingship, he felt unprepared and overwhelmed to lead the kingdom of Israel, to walk in the footprints of his dad, King David, and to lead the many great people, his people. Solomon was in his twenties when his dad passed the scepter to his hands, and the Bible records how Solomon immediately sought the Lord’s direction.
As Solomon slept, and in a dream, God offered Solomon a question: “Ask what you wish me to give you” (1 Kings 3: 5)
His answer pleased the Lord.
Solomon sought God’s direction and understanding, a discerning heart to judge God’s people, an ability to know the difference between what was good and what was evil.
Then God gave Solomon—the “because” list—
Because you have not asked for longevity of life;
Because you have not asked for riches beyond measure;
Because you have not asked for the ability to overcome all enemies domestic & foreign;
Because you have asked for discernment to judge & lead justly;
Because you, Solomon, sought the Lord—Solomon was granted what he asked & ALL that he did not ask—GOD GAVE—to Solomon!
God—The Giver—Granted Solomon So Much More!
Notice what Solomon was granted:
- A wise and discerning heart;
- Wisdom unlike no one before him or after him;
- All that he did not ask to receive;
- Riches;
- Honor;
- Kingship & Authority Unlike Any Other King of Israel;
Then God gave Solomon one more thing, attached to an “if clause.”
The “IF” means everything!
The “if statement” proves how NOTHING—apart from Christ—is worth pursuing. “IF” you Solomon—Do this, “THEN” I, Jehovah God (the Giver of Everything) will give to you—LIFE EVERLASTING.
SEE WITH ME GOD’S “IF CLAUSE” & GOD’S “THEN PROMISE” HE GAVE TO SOLOMON.
“If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.”
(1 Kings 3: 14)
The “IF” means everything!
What can we boast of during our lifetime?
What can we say we have done?
We are so weak in and of ourselves.
The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest missionaries EVER, wrote these words to show the comparison between mankind and GOD.
“The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. . . .
Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.
And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.
On behalf of such a man I will boast; not on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses.
For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.”
(2 Corinthians 11: 31 & 12: 1-6)
Like King Solomon, Paul realized “the conclusion” & meaning of TRUE LIFE.
Like King Solomon, Paul realized “God is the Giver” of the—so much more!
Solomon wrote these words at the end of his searching, of his acquiring—
“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”
(Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14)
“We all Need Jesus” by Danny Gokey sings a melody that speaks the TRUTH of what every man needs to pursue. Listen today if your today allows you space to listen.
John Flavel said, “As all the rivers are gathered into the ocean, so Christ is the ocean in which all true delights and pleasures meet.”
So the KEY that unlocks the ultimate pursuit of our existence—FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON GOD, TALK WITH GOD DAILY, WALK WITH GOD DAILY, KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS & STATUTES, LEARN FROM HIM, LEAN UPON HIM, TRUST HIM, PLACE OUR FAITH IN HIM, SHARE OUR LIVES—WITH HIM.
NOTHING—apart from CHRIST—is worth pursuing.
NOTHING—apart from CHRIST—can fill the hole that remains in our soul.
NOTHING—apart from CHRIST—is worth ANYTHING!
“We all need JESUS.”
“THEN I JEHOVAH GOD (the Giver of Everything) WILL GIVE YOU—LIFE EVERLASTING!”
We all need GOD—The GIVER of So Much More!
YES, GOD—The GIVER of So Much More!