DATE POSTED: Thursday, 2023-03-02
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL

BY: Ed Algreen

SCRIPTURE FROM: 2 Chronicles 9:5-8
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: 5 She said: Solomon, in my own country I had heard about your wisdom and all you’ve done. 6 But I didn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes! And there’s so much I didn’t hear about. You are greater than I was told. 7 Your people and officials are lucky to be here where they can listen to the wise things you say.
8 I praise the Lord your God. He is pleased with you and has made you king of Israel. God loves the people of this country and will never desert them, so he has given them a king who will rule fairly and honestly.

OBSERVATION: When a head of state visits with another head of state, they probably watch everything happening, and listen closely to everything they hear in and around the palace. Some may be critical, and some may see values that they want to adopt. Not sure how many will be as bold as the Queen of Sheba to tell their visiting dignitary what they thought and/or felt while visiting, but the queen was very open with king Solomon. Those of us that are leaders in God’s work here on earth are also scrutinized very closely by those we serve. As we meditate on this Scripture, I would like for us to reflect on what might be said of us.

APPLICATION: For those who are called into ministry, like pastors, they have a mission to fulfill, so to criticize them is like criticizing the One who called them into ministry and sent them to serve in ministry at our church. However, there are many others who help pastors achieve the work for which God has called them, and who also serve in support functions to maintain the various ministries of the church. The Queen wanted to visit with Solomon because of all the good things she had heard about him. Because of what she said to Solomon, I believe that the Queen had heard very admirable things about the king and the way that he ran his kingdom. The Holy Spirit caused me to ponder what my pastor, church leaders, congregation, and my community has determined in their hearts about me in being head of my family; a good neighbor; upstanding in my community; persistent in my church attendance; involved and committed in the ministries of my church. For you see, I believe each of these things are inter-related. For example, if I struggle in my interpersonal relationships in my family, at work, and in volunteer work in my social clubs, don’t you think that the same will be expected of me at church? In the case of Solomon, the Queen was pleasantly surprised to find that she had heard nowhere near the full story on the king. Everything she had heard was confirmed, plus she witnessed many additional qualities about this awesome king. I was blessed in reading verse 8, for there we see that the Queen acknowledged where Solomon’s qualities came from! She thanked God – the God of Solomon, for blessing Solomon with such wonderful qualities, and also for God blessing His people, the Israelites, with such an awesome leader and king. No matter how hard we work, we can rest assured that others are looking on and drawing their own conclusions about whether we are sincere in our work, or just pretending. If we say that we believe in Jesus Christ and that we will always honor Him in every aspect of our life, then it should be evident to others. They should want to honor our God, because of how well we are doing.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Just as the Queen of Sheba praised God for what she saw in His servant, Solomon, I pray that we may bless others in similar ways, to the glory of God!

PRAYER: Lord, I praise You for who You are! I pray that You might always be such a vital part of our lives that others might lift up holy hands in praise to the Almighty for what they see in us. As You bless us, oh Lord, may we also be a blessing to others. Yes, we may not be rich like Solomon, but just as the Queen of Sheba saw his character shining through and knew it was Your hand working in his life, may those we come into contact with be enriched and blessed by the qualities You bestow on us every day. May they always see You at work in us, Lord, and may they have a deep desire to know You in a personal and intimate way. AMEN!