December 22, 2010
The Rich Home
"Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions."
I Kings 10:1 (NKJ)
Devotion:
The Queen of Sheba was wealthy and beautiful. She had everything a queen would want: gold, silver, ivory, precious jewels and servants taking care of her every need.
Well, almost everything.
She'd heard about the famous King Solomon and his miraculous God. Even though her people had many gods to worship, none intrigued her like the Lord God of Israel. Her heart was so moved by His name that she decided to take a 1,400 mile trip across the desert sands of Arabia to visit this man who knew this God personally.
Camels can travel around 20 miles a day, so the trip would take her six months each way. She took a great caravan of servants, loads of spices, gold and unusual woods to give as gifts to Solomon. Her heart and soul longed for riches that she did not have, and she sensed they would be discovered through him.
Finally, she arrived. It was the grandest palace she had ever laid eyes on. But her purpose wasn't to see the most beautiful archeological place ever built, it was to find a secret treasure.
She talked to Solomon for hours, asking him deep questions about God. She was exhausted, but satisfied by his answers. She found what she had longed for and she declared, "Blessed be the LORD your God" (1 Kings 10:8, NKJ).
Jesus mentions the Queen of Sheba in Matthew 12:42. He honors her desire for His wisdom. The Queen of Sheba took great pains to find wisdom, yet the wisdom available to her at that time was the lesser wisdom of a man. The wisdom we have access to through Jesus far out shines that of Solomon. If the Queen of Sheba would travel six months to find truth, how much more should we search for wisdom by opening our Bibles and our hearts to Him in prayer?
When people travel to our home this week, it is not the seasonal décor or the cleanliness that will ultimately impress our visitors. It is not a perfectly sculpted yard or a new car in the garage. It's the spiritual insight and presence of grace that they will be drawn to - through the Holy Spirit living in us. When we share the love of our God with them, then they will have visited a wealthy home.
As rich as Sheba's or Solomon's palace.
Your home is where your heart is. And your heart is Christ's home - a dwelling place for the Lord. Be sure to spend time with Him this week so you will be filled with love and prepared with wisdom to offer your guests.
May those who enter your home this Christmas, and in the New Year to come, find treasures that people have traveled the whole earth in search of!
Dear Lord, I want every person who walks into my home to find the riches that only You can deliver. Help me to be a conduit for Your wisdom and love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Sharing Grace - Family Traditions - Gift ideas (E-Book) by LeAnn Rice
It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen
All Things Wise and Wonderful: Applying God's Wisdom in Everyday Life (E-Book) by Wendy Blight
Shop with us for Christmas!
We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us.
Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Application Steps:
God freely gives spiritual wisdom to those who ask for it. Seek God's wisdom through prayer and the Bible. Ask Him to help you remember all that you learn from Him, and to live it this week.
Reflections:
Do I spend more time fussing over the outward beauty of my home than the inward beauty of my soul?
Can I recall time spent in the home of a gracious, godly person? Do I remember the richness felt there?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 60:13,"...Beautify the place of my sanctuary..." (NKJ)
I Corinthians 3:12, "Now, If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is, if any one's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward." (NKJ)
© 2010 by Sharon Glasgow. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
Originally published Wednesday, 22 December 2010.
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