The Queen of England was long lived in human years, and reigned a long time in God’s blessings. I am certain her faith helped her (its what keeps me going!) and that her faith inspired all who knew her. The Queen of England lived many years through wars, peace and personal and public strife. There is praise for the service and devotion of the Queen to her people and her people to her. The lines stretched for miles for hundreds of thousands to get the 60 seconds “private” personal moment with the Queen as she lies in state. A memory of a moment in history. 

The history books contain long forgotten queens and kings, of both opulent and modest means, and it is said the average American lives just as well, having food and creature comforts, as kings and queens did back throughout the centuries. No doubt we are blessed. We do need to praise. The scriptures from King David and King Solomon tell us of opulent levels of gems, supplies, skilled workers, soldiers, food. 2nd Chronicles covers the riches upon riches of the Queen of Sheba and of King Solomon. Wow. 

The scriptures tell us of something MORE valuable than all this opulence, WISDOM. Possessing WISDOM is most blessed. 

Solomon asked for wisdom and God gave him more wisdom than we can imagine. God also gave him riches, even though he did not ask.

The Word is more wise than the world. Thus when we wonder and worry, we should wait upon the Word. Read the Word willingly, and wonder in it’s WISDOM. The Word IS the Way to Walk Through the Wishy-Washy World.

Wisdom of the Lord gifted to some is purposeful to allow others to appreciate God. Queen Sheba saw that Solomon’s God, the God of Israel, LOVED them and kept them well. She said: “Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.” This Queen of Sheba knew what blessings were and wanted to see with her own eyes what God-given wisdom was, and she PRAISED, learning the God of Solomon was so praise worthy. 

Modern day seems to fade even modern memories away let alone good ones. Strife of countries is seemingly forgotten in the good times. Good times are  broken by greed and strife as would happen in the generations after Solomon. It is written that God keeps kings and queens in power: to maintain justice and righteousness. (Even evil rulers are purposeful for God, He writes prophecy and fulfills it). For us in the 21st century, we must remember this too. For modern monarchies may or may not have political power directly, but there is always “soft diplomacy” – for them and for us – there is WISDOM to be shared. 

Our wisdom tells us that we can count our blessings and if God wakes us up in the morning. We best grab good shoes and work for Him. We work as an encourager to His people. We work for rulers and earthly bosses as hard as we work for Him. We give praise up to God too, so that others can see that we know that He is our source of strength. 

This is something that I must do more! Praise Him! I can’t imagine any other reason for my joy and energy than that He gives us strength and direction and hope and a Way to walk through the wishy-washy world. 

And one day, when we rest with our ancestors, rest with Solomon and David and Queen Elizabeth, we will rest in God’s peace and plan. 

Shine the Light, the world of weary travelers is watching. Walk in WISDOM. 

Give God the Glory. 

Amen 

—

2nd Chronicles 9:1-9, 30-31

The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon

When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving 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 she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her. When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at 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 what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; 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 his throne as king to rule for the Lord your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.”

Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

……Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. Then he rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.

…

See chapters 10-12 for the kingdom divides after Solomon’s son Rehoboam rebels against God. The people learned hard lessons: “… so that they may learn the difference between serving me [God] and serving the kings of other lands.”