1 Kings 10:1   When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.

                                

Isn't it good when the world comes to investigate what God is doing! Notice the twofold reason why the Queen of Sheba came to see Solomon: first of all, his fame had spread, presumably his wealth and his wisdom called for the attention of the world, but also because all this was directly linked with the relationship that he had with the Lord. Jesus was to teach: “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:16). In other words, what we do is to be clearly linked to the fact that we are Christians and God will thus be glorified.

 

Solomon's fame was because the Lord had promised him, “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.” (1 Kings 3:12,13) This was God's enabling and so we later find that when the Queen saw Solomon's wisdom and all his wealth she “was overwhelmed.” (1 Kings 10:5).

 

May we receive God's gifting and serve Him in such ways that the world looks on and wonders and glorifies Him! Let this be a prayer of ours: Lord may your grace so flow in me that my life will glorify and honour you. May our lives reflect His goodness and glorify Him. But be warned, so often that grace is only visible when we go through difficult and trying times. The fact that we live in a Fallen World means that most lives will encounter more than a few trying times before our call to heaven comes, and it is in those trying times that, as we call on the Lord for His grace, the world will look on and marvel, and where hearts are touched, turn to Him. May it be so.