In His Presence

 DEVOTION

1^ST KINGS

IN HIS PRESENCE

1 Kings 10:6-10

6 She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. 8 How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness." 10 And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

NIV

The Queen of Sheba had to see it with her own eyes to believe in Solomon's accomplishments and wisdom. Just hearing a report was not enough for her. Maybe the songwriter took her words about the half that has yet to be told. There are two truths we need to ponder. First, the queen could not accept the reports about Solomon on faith; she had to see him in person to believe. We are most likely not going to see the Lord in person until we breathe our last, but we do have faith and believe God, having read all the reports of Matthew, Mark, John, and Luke. Some of us have seen or experienced a divine miracle, proof that God is real and involved in our lives. We should all have the experience of the Holy Spirit's presence within, sensing and displaying one or more of His gifts and all His fruit. We could quench all His power within us and instead display our human side, with all its failings. Second, the queen thought that Solomon’s men must be so happy to be able to stand before him and hear his wisdom continually. We have the greatest joy because we get to stand in the presence of the Lord God Almighty every time we read His word, worship together, and pray. Then we can be so happy. He promised that when two or more of us come together in His name, there He is with us. He promised that, along with the truth that when two of us agree about anything we ask for, it will be done for us by our Father in Heaven. This is faith at work, not sight at work, such as it was for Queen Sheba. There is also this other truth about the LORD’s eternal love for Israel. However, the Lord’s eternal love is for all who come to Him, believing in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Yet, we also know that God so loved the world, that is, His love is always eternal, as He desires that all should come to the knowledge of Jesus, and none should perish but have everlasting life. He is the Great King, who maintains the ultimate and final justice. He has perfect righteousness, yet He gives us, as we seek, His kingdom and righteousness. The Queen of Sheba felt blessed to stand before Solomon, but one of our greatest blessings is that we can stand in His presence.