What wilt thou that I should unto thee? I believe many would answer in different ways according to the situation they are in. I recently read that one of the multibillionaires on earth bought one of the social media platforms, costing him about billion dollars and I wondered, what if that rich man asked you this question:
“What do you want me to do for you?” or “Ask what shall I give you?” I expect many would answer, “Well, I want you to buy me a house or maybe a car or many other pleasing things found on this earth.” There are many things that our hearts might hope to be given, but what if our Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator of all things asks us the same question, what will be our answer?
As Christians we are to answer in regards to our salvation, realizing the great commission that our Lord has given us to be co-labourers with Him in His service. We read in the Bible about the experiences of men and women who responded well, and they were blessed, when they were asked by the Lord, “What wilt thou that I should unto thee?”
“And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee?” 2 Chronicles 1:6–7
King Solomon was given an opportunity to ask whatever he wanted the Lord should do for him. His answer is contrary to what many people would ask for if they were asked the same question by the Lord.
“And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast showed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let Thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this Thy people, that is so great?” 2 Chronicles 1:8–10
Although given the opportunity to choose anything, King Solomon chose to ask that which will glorify the Lord before any pleasant thing. “And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge My people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.” 2 Chronicles 1:11–12
There is a popular saying that says, “Put God first”. It should be our motto as Christians and believers to put the work of the Lord primary and our own work secondary.
Our Saviour said to His disciples: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthews 6:33
King Solomon received abundant blessings, more than he asked for from the Lord. “As the years went by and Solomon’s fame increased, he sought to honor God by adding to his mental and spiritual strength, and by continuing to impart to others the blessings he received. None understood better than he that it was through the favor of Jehovah that he had come into possession of power and wisdom and understanding, and that these gifts were bestowed that he might give to the world a knowledge of the King of kings.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 33
Solomon was not only given riches, but he was given so much wisdom that none understood more than him. It is because he put the work of the Lord before everything else which is what most worldly kings fail to do.
Here is another testimony from the book, Education which provides more emphasis on the choice that Solomon made:
“In the early life of Solomon also are seen the results of God’s method of education. Solomon in his youth made David’s choice his own. Above every earthly good he asked of God a wise and understanding heart. And the Lord gave him not only that which he sought, but that also for which he had not sought–both riches and honour. The power of his understanding, the extent of his knowledge, the glory of his reign, became the wonder of the world.” –Education, p. 48
The principle we need to learn from King Solomon is that, before all other things, we are asked to put divine things first so that our words and our actions might reflect the character of the Sovereign and Supreme Ruler of the universe in obedience before Him. We read from The Great Controversy that as soon as the pilgrims landed at Plymouth the first thing they did was to pray to God for His providence and protection. The first thing they did was to thank the Lord immediately after being rescued from the violent persecution of the 1260-year period of Papal supremacy.
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthews 6:10. The Lord Jesus taught His disciples to pray for the coming of the kingdom of God, and we are advised to do the same. If our mind is cultivated in this way in our daily lives, we will be active participants in missionary work.
“Christ sent forth His disciples with the message, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand.’ The proclamation of this message is our work. Jesus said, ‘This Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.’ His kingdom will not come until the good tidings of His grace have been carried to all the earth. Let us proclaim the message, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ Thus we may hasten the coming of the Saviour. ‘Thy kingdom come.’ For ages this prayer has been ascending to God from contrite hearts. It will surely be answered. The kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.” –The Signs of the Times, October 28, 1903
Wisdom in the Last Days
From the experience of King Solomon, we have seen that wisdom is greatly needed in order to accomplish the work of soul-saving in the last hours of earth’s history
We can read this from different texts in the Bible.
“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Proverbs 23:23
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7
“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” Proverbs 3:13
“O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” Deuteronomy 32:29
“Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Revelation 13:18
“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10
“The words of the angel to Daniel relating to the last days were to be understood in the time of the end. At that time, ‘many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’ ‘The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.’ Daniel 12:4, 10. The Saviour Himself has given signs of His coming, and He says, ‘When ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.’ ‘And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.’ ‘Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.’ Luke 21:31, 34, 36.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 234
“We are living in the closing scenes of this earth’s history. Prophecy is rapidly fulfilling. The hours of probation are fast passing. We have no time—not a moment—to lose. Let us not be found sleeping on guard. Let no one say in his heart or by his works, ‘My Lord delayeth His coming.’ Let the message of Christ’s soon return sound forth in earnest words of warning. Let us persuade men and women everywhere to repent, and flee from the wrath to come. Let us arouse them to immediate preparation; for we little know what is before us. Let ministers and lay members go forth into the ripening fields. They will find their harvest wherever they proclaim the forgotten truths of the Bible. They will find those who will accept the truth, and who will devote their lives to winning souls to Christ.” –The Review and Herald, July 14, 1903
“But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” Matthew 25:4
“In the parable, all the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So with the church that lives just before Christ’s second coming. All have a knowledge of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ’s near approach, and confidently expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes, faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him,’ many are unready. . . . They are destitute of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His Word is of no avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the soul or sanctify the heart. . . . Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of Satan.” –God’s Amazing Grace, p. 214
We are represented either by the wise or by the foolish virgins. This will be evident through our daily deeds and actions. Are we wise in discerning the signs of the times? It is a necessity for every Christian to pray for the Holy Spirit just as the wise virgins kept some oil in preparation for an emergency in case the bridegroom delayed His coming.
“So the followers of Christ are to shed light into the darkness of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God’s word is a light as it becomes a transforming power in the life of the receiver. By implanting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His glory—His character—is to shine forth in His followers. Thus they are to glorify God, to lighten the path to the Bridegroom’s home, to the city of God, to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
“The coming of the bridegroom was at midnight—the darkest hour. So the coming of Christ will take place in the darkest period of this earth’s history. The days of Noah and Lot pictured the condition of the world just before the coming of the Son of man. The Scriptures pointing forward to this time declare that Satan will work with all power and ‘with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.’ 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10. His working is plainly revealed by the rapidly increasing darkness, the multitudinous errors, heresies, and delusions of these last days. Not only is Satan leading the world captive, but his deceptions are leavening the professed churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. The great apostasy will develop into darkness deep as midnight, impenetrable as sackcloth of hair. To God’s people it will be a night of trial, a night of weeping, a night of persecution for the truth’s sake. But out of that night of darkness God’s light will shine.” –Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 414
Moses says, “O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” Deuteronomy 32:29
Our Highest Wish and Desire in the End Time
“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto Him, saying, Master, we would that Thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.” Mark 10:35
Says the Saviour, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’ Matthew 7:7
“And He said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?” Mark 10:36
“They said unto Him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on Thy right hand, and the other on Thy left hand, in Thy glory.” Mark 10:37
In their understanding, John and James desired to be together with Christ in the earthly kingdom that they expected Him to establish. However, Christ taught them the lesson of true greatness. “For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.” Luke 9:48. When they were converted, they rejected all that the world had to offer, and were willing to join their Master in ministering to others for the gospel. They overcame the evil one. Their promise awaits them as Christ says “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Revelation 3:21
“And they came to Jericho: and as He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Mark 10:46–47
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?” Mark 10:51
As a beggar, Bartimaeus could have asked for money or wealth through a miracle, but when he was asked, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? Bartimaeus considered it wise to ask something which was of greater value from the Saviour. He said “Lord, that I might receive my sight.” Mark 10:51
“Not only is physical sight restored, but the eyes of his understanding are opened. In Christ he sees his Redeemer, and the Sun of Righteousness shines into his soul. All who feel their need of Christ as did blind Bartimeus, and who will be as earnest and determined as he was, will, like him, receive the blessing which they crave.” –Sons and Daughters of God, p. 126
To the Church in Laodicea
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:14, 18
The Lord stands at the heart of every believer in the Laodicean period and asks, “what would ye that I should do for you?”
It is our necessity to pray for Holy Spirit to guide us in these perilous times and that the Lord might open our eyes that we may see, to behold His near coming
“The eyesalve is that wisdom and grace which enables us to discern between the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise. God has given His church eyes which He requires them to anoint with wisdom, that they may see clearly; but many would put out the eyes of the church if they could; for they would not have their deeds come to the light, lest they should be reproved. The divine eyesalve will impart clearness to the understanding. Christ is the depositary of all graces. He says: ‘Buy of Me.’” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 88
“Let the heavenly eyesalve be applied to the eyes of your understanding, that you may distinguish between truth and error. Search the Word; and when you find a ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ take your stand.” –My Life Today, p. 73
“At this time—the last days of this earth’s history—we are to make the book of Revelation a special study. Why? Because it depicts the scenes that we are to meet. We need to understand what we are to meet, and how we are to meet it. We must know what efforts we are to make, so that, in this perilous time, we shall not be taken by the enemy’s devices. We know that the last great conflict will be Satan’s most determined effort to accomplish his purposes. He will come, not only as a roaring lion, but as a seducer, clothing sin with beautiful garments of light, that he may take human beings in his snare.
“The Lord desires us to realize that it is of great importance that we stand in these last days upon the platform of eternal truth. Those who think that the church militant is the church triumphant make a great mistake. The church militant will gain great triumphs, but it will also have fierce conflicts with evil, that it may be firmly established upon the platform of eternal truth. And every one of us should be determined to stand with the church upon this platform.” –Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, p. 340
Our answer to the Lord’s question will determine our eternal destiny. If we seek for temporal things that we wish to have on this earth, it will not save us in the time of trouble and will never give life. Therefore, let us ask for the Latter Rain that we may be prepared for the time of trouble, that proceeds the day in which He comes again.
Hastings E Kandonga
Malawi