Choose Wisely! Indiana Jones/The Last Crusade

In the Harrison Ford movie, "The Last Crusade," there is a scene where Indiana Jones and others have finally passed all the obstacles except for one old knight who is the keeper of the Holy Grail. In this place hewn out of rock, there is not just one chalice but many, the old knight says, "choose wisely!" Choosing poorly meant death. There is one chalice that is exquisitely beautiful, but it's looks are deceiving. There is death in that cup. There is one simple cup hewn of wood. This cup turns out to be the Holy Grail, the cup of the Carpenter.

Did you ever wonder what you might ask for if you were told you could have anything you wanted? You might say, "I wish I had a million dollars," or you might ask for your dream house or an expensive sports car. Maybe your less selfish and you would wish for health or even world peace. Did you know that God once spoke to a young man and told him to ask for whatever he wanted?

...and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."

1 Kings 3:5 (NIV)

The young man's name was Solomon who has just recently beome the King of Israel following his father, David. His answer is recorded in verse 9.

So give your servant a discerning heart to govern
your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.

Can you believe it? He has the opportunity of a lifetime! I mean this is better than finding Aladdin's lamp and getting three wishes! This isn't the promise of a ficticious genie, but the word of Almighty God! How amazing is it that all he can ask for is an understanding heart? Most of the young men I know would have probably taken a much different approach to this opportunity, but listen to God's response to his request in verses 10-14.

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
So God said to him, "Since you have asked for this and
not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked
for the death of your enemies but for discernment in
administering justice, I will do what you have asked.
I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there
will never have been anyone like you, nor will there
ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not
asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your
lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you
walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands
as David your father did, I will give you a long life."

Obviously, young Solomon chose wisely. With all the possibilities of his imagination open to him. He chooses wisdom, an understanding heart to help him serve the people better. The truth is that we also have all the possibilities of the future open to us today, and we must choose. How will we decide? Will you choose wisely? Will you choose a life of service to others, or will you choose poorly, thinking only of yourself? Today God has set before you blessing or cursing, life or death. Choose life! He wants you to live it abundantly! Have a blessed day!