WHY did God say, ASK!?

If you haven't yet read my last post, do that now.

I noticed one more thing in my devotional reading - verse 7 contains one of those 'time words' that are so important in Scripture. Did you see it? It says "on that night..."

So curious minds want to know, WHY did God appear to Solomon on that night to invite him to ASK? The answer is found in the previous verse, 2Chronicles 1:6

Now do you see?

The greatest act of worship during Old Testament times was known as a 'whole burnt offering', when, unlike the regular sacrifices and offerings that Israel brought to the Lord, in which both the people and the priests were allowed to eat some of the meat and enjoy a good meal for themselves, the whole burnt offering meant that the entire animal was offered by fire to God. Everything was given to the Lord, and nothing remained for the people. To offer one animal in that way was a high act of worship and devotion.

But Solomon offered 1,000 of those sacrifices in one day! That's what I call lavish worship! He went WAY beyond the norm....way beyond the expected.....way beyond what other worshippers did....way beyond what the Law required....he gave God extravagant praise!

And on that night God appeared to him and insisted, ASK!

These next 40 days at CLC is not just about denying ourselves in sacrificial fasting - it's a great opportunity for us to offer to God the most extravagant, lavish worship ever!

Would you join me? GO! with me, before God's throne, beyond anything that you've done before....beyond anything that might be expected of you, and give Him the lavish praise He's worthy of.

And don't be surprised if He invites you to ASK!