What steps can we take to ensure our requests align with God's will? Setting the Scene: A Request Takes Shape “Then he said, ‘I have something to say to you.’ ‘Speak,’ she replied.” (1 Kings 2:14) Adonijah is about to ask Bathsheba to petition King Solomon for Abishag as his wife—a request that ultimately reveals selfish ambition and costs him his life. His approach highlights the danger of presenting desires that stand outside God’s purposes. Seeing the Misstep: What Adonijah Missed • He never consulted God, priests, or prophets. • He masked personal ambition as a harmless favor. • He used a mediator (Bathsheba) to add legitimacy rather than seeking the Lord. • His request conflicted with God’s established order of the throne (1 Kings 1:29-30). Principles for Aligning Our Requests 1. Examine Motives – James 4:3: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives.” – Psalm 139:23-24: Invite God to search the heart before speaking the request. 2. Submit to God’s Revealed Will – Psalm 19:7-8: God’s statutes are trustworthy and right; requests that violate them cannot be blessed. – 1 Kings 2 reminds us that Solomon’s throne was God-ordained; any plan undermining it was doomed. 3. Seek First the Kingdom – Matthew 6:33: Prioritize God’s reign; let every desire fit within His larger purposes. 4. Align with Scripture’s Boundaries – 2 Timothy 3:16-17: Scripture equips us for every good work, providing the grid against which every petition is measured. 5. Pray According to Christ’s Words – John 15:7: “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” – Remaining in Him shapes our wishing. 6. Invite the Spirit’s Intercession – Romans 8:26-27: The Spirit corrects and perfects our imperfect prayers, steering them toward God’s will. 7. Seek Godly Counsel – Proverbs 11:14: “In an abundance of counselors there is victory.” – Unlike Adonijah, we reach out to wise believers who will weigh our desires against truth. 8. Wait for Confirmation – Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” – Patience reveals whether a request springs from faith or presumption. Daily Habits That Keep Us In Step • Consistent Scripture reading to recalibrate desires. • Regular confession to keep motives pure. • Thanksgiving that shifts focus from “what I lack” to “what God has done.” • Listening prayer—times of silence where God can redirect or affirm. • Fellowship that invites loving accountability. Bringing It Home Adonijah’s fateful request began in verse 14 with, “I have something to say,” but he never asked whether that “something” belonged in God’s plan. When our hearts, minds, and words are surrendered to the Lord, our requests naturally echo His will, leading not to ruin but to blessing and peace (1 John 5:14-15). |
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