Greetings again my Brethren. Okay let us continue looking at ways and even circumstances “the LORD” (the Father) and even “the Lord” (Jesus) has paid man a visit. Some times their visits are good as we will see here in 1 Kings 3:5, but other times their visit will be not so good as we see things play out all throughout the Bible especially in the Book of Revelations which is THE revelation of Jesus Christ and not some mystical book with scary stories and images, but THE (one and only) revelation of Jesus Christ’s that God (the Father) gave Him that surely WILL come to pass. John writes, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:” (Revelation 1:1) I do not know about you my friend, but the Book of Revelations is far beyond me and I do know I do not want to be here on earth to see it unfold. Now I know this may sound funny, but the number one place the LORD talks to me (maybe in the night also) is in the bathroom. Yeah, I know you are probably laughing at me right now, but that is true. I remember when we lived in Germany and my African assistant pastor and I were driving to Moldova, well we got stuck at the Polish border. My assistant pastor had told me that he got his visas for all along the way, but he had not. While in Africa a “prophet” told him he would cross borders without a need for a visa so he moved in that word. Wrong! So we turned around and went back into Germany to a friend’s house near Dresden, because there was a consulate there where he could get a visa. Well, it was closed for the day. What to do now? I thought go to the bathroom so the LORD can speak to me. I excused myself and went to the bathroom. And guess what? The LORD was waiting for me. He said for me to continue on into Poland and for my assistant pastor to go back to Stuttgart and get a visa. So I took him to the train station and I continued on into Poland. Days later he met me in Poland and the story really got wild from there. We never made it to Moldova (went to jail in Poland), but that is another story. Okay, back to our topic. One of the main times the LORD visits is at night. So many critical events happen during the night. Jesus was resurrected during the night time. The children of Israel cross the Red Sea at night. The world was created at night, night comes before day in the Bible. Genesis talks about darkness then the light. One of the good times is in 1 Kings 3:5, I believe to be Jeremiah writes, “In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.” (1 Kings 3:5) WOW what an request from God. Unless our heart was dealt with by God this would totally destroy us. Our wildest desires and imaginations could come to pass, nothing would be withheld from us, WOW what a dream come true for some, but for only few, those who know restraint and limitations, it would bring a greater will of God in their lives. Solomon does not ask for money, wealth, health, riches, power oh no Solomon said, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” (1 Kings 3:9-10) Solomon chose well, and God was pleased and said, “Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, (1) I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. 13 And (2) I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.14 And (3) if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. (1 Kings 3:11-14) So God’s word was true, Solomon was given three things that made him the wisest and the richest man in history, but not so about the third promise. As we read about Solomon’s life we find he, did not “walk” in God’s ways, to keep His statutes and His commandments, as thy father David did walk” and gave himself to idol worship, had wives and concubines, caused Israel to worship false idols, and so many things God did not find pleasing, but in end I want to believe he made it right with God when he said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) Here is an example of a blessing from God when He came for a visit in the night, but in the end due to disobedience the picture is left unclear. Now I am not going to beat up on Solomon not sure what I would have done with all that God gave him, but I hope I see him in heaven.
Next month we will continue to look at some circumstances in which the LORD has visited man as seen in some diverse situations. Next week my favorite (not that I enjoy it) the wilderness. Do you see Him draw near? Please know God is near to them who are near to Him. Do you feel His presence? Do you see His hand in your life? He is waiting on us to make our first move. Written by David Stahl
