Bible Reading: 1 Kings 10, 11; Luke 21: 20-38
“Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceeded the fame which I heard” – 1 King 10:7 (KJV).
Everyone desires to be great in life, yet it is good to know that this attracts its own challenges. Jesus Christ was tested and proven by the Pharisees during his days. Solomon also received the visitation of the Queen of Sheba, who heard of his fame and his relationship with the name of the LORD. The intention of the Queen was to test him with hard questions. Hear the Scriptures: “And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions”– 1 Kings 10:1 (KJV). Solomon was never perturbed when the woman arrived. This is largely because he was aware that God, with whom he formed relationship, can never be caught unawares. The nature of the questions were not specified in the Bible, but as hard as the questions appeared, Solomon, to the amazement of the Queen, gave answers to all. “And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not anything hid from the king, which he told her not” – 1 Kings 10:3 (KJV).
Greatness is not only seen by acquisition of material things, but also in making one’s self available for the service to the people. There are lots of questions going through the heart of people you interface with daily. Would you make yourself available to solve their problems or allow them to drown in it? The heart stirring response by Solomon made this Queen exclaim, “Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgement and justice” – 1 Kings 10:9 (KJV).
When you also align yourself with the Great King of the universe, He will make you great. When you excel in service, people shall serve you with their resources, in addition to what God has given you (1 Kings 10:10). A great person is not a stingy individual and Solomon demonstrates this by giving back not just answers to the hard questions but also material gifts to the Queen. You can do likewise!
Prayer Point: Great God, when You make me great, help me never to misuse the opportunity in Jesus Christ name.
Rev. Julius Oluwole