Queen of Sheba-being confronted by the world about a decision to follow Christ

The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon

10 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the Lord, she came to test Solomon with hard questions.  Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.  Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built,  the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at[a] the temple of the Lord, she was overwhelmed.

 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.  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. How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 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.”

______________

Solomon is represented by the Lord here, and we are the servants to the King.  And just like "the world" -The Queen is like those unbelievers in our lives that are a success by the world's standards. She comes to test Solomon much like how the world comes to test the Lord through us, His servants.

AS I get ready to face my giants, and admit I have some anxiety, because I know that I will be tested by the unbelievers in my life that are successful by the world's standards, I am greatly encouraged by this chapter.

First off, as I was taught, everything we're doing needs to be put back onto the Lord (for example, this is GOD'S plan for our life, we love Jesus and trust Him with our family)

Verse 3: "Nothing was too difficult for the King to explain to her."

Putting it all back on God and knowing that He can handle any test that the skeptic throws at Him is so comforting. When we get challenged by those around us we can rest in His ability to handle anything that someone has against Him, any test, any scoffing, anything. Nothing is too hard, or challenging for Him.

I love this part: when she saw for herself, that first off, any test of doubt or ridicule was diffused, and second, all of the goodness of the Lord and how that was bestowed on His servants and how happy and content his servants were, it "took her breath away"! Wow! I love that even though a missionary appears to not have much, that if someone were to see past that, they would see that we are content to be humble servants of the most High! And they would see a God that takes care of His servants. It may not look like the rest of the world, in fancy homes, cars and the like, but it's something much better and much more eternal! 

Verse 7: "Your wisdom and prosperity far exceed the report I heard. How happy are your men. How happy are these servants of yours who always stand in your presence hearing your wisdom" (yes, that's us!) As a servant, we must and we love to stay in the presence of the Lord, listening for His wisdom, experiencing all that He has for us- how content it makes us! How peaceful is makes us!

Queen Sheba says "Blessed be the Lord your God! He delighted in you and put you on the throne of Israel because of the Lord's eternal love for Israel. He has made you King to carry out justice and righteousness."

One day every knee will bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. His saints will be seated with Him. Those who rejected God will then understand that whatever we had sacrificed to follow Him was indeed more than worth it. They will be sorrowful over the inability to see what we already can see. And they will regret pouring their lives into things that were only temporary.

There is joy and peace in living in such an uncertain and, by the worlds standards "unsuccessful lifestyle". God chose us to live this way, to live radically for Him so that the world around us can someday (hopefully sooner rather then later) have their breath taken away by the goodness of God and how amazing being His servant actually is.

Leaving the world's system to be always standing in the presence of God to carry out justice and righteousness in His name is actually better then "had been reported to them."

I pray the Lord be magnified as we are tested, so that they too, can be left speechless by all that the Lord is doing in all of His servants all over the world.

Isaiah 40:9

You who bring good news to Zion,
    go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,[c]
    lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
    say to the towns of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
    and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.

He is a good shepherd, and a good King!