It's Good to Be Queen

1. Embrace boldness in seeking wisdom and truth

"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."

Courage in pursuit of wisdom. The queen of Sheba's journey exemplifies the importance of boldly seeking wisdom and truth. Her willingness to travel 1,500 miles across treacherous terrain demonstrates the lengths one should go to acquire knowledge and understanding. This boldness is not about brashness or arrogance, but rather a determined spirit to grow and learn.

Challenging preconceptions. Sheba's approach to Solomon with "hard questions" shows the value of critically examining our beliefs and assumptions. By challenging ourselves and others, we can deepen our understanding and strengthen our faith. This process of questioning and seeking answers is essential for spiritual growth and maturity.

Benefits of boldness:

• Overcomes fear and hesitation
• Leads to new discoveries and insights
• Strengthens faith through active engagement

2. Cultivate openness to God's transformative power

"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 the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed."

Receptivity to divine revelation. Sheba's openness to Solomon's wisdom and, by extension, to God's power, allowed her to experience a profound transformation. This receptivity is crucial for anyone seeking spiritual growth. Being open means being willing to have our preconceptions challenged and our worldviews expanded.

Embracing change. True openness often leads to significant personal change. For Sheba, this meant acknowledging the superiority of Solomon's wisdom and the power of his God. For us, it might mean being willing to alter long-held beliefs or behaviors in light of new spiritual insights.

Signs of openness:

• Willingness to listen and learn
• Ability to admit when we're wrong
• Flexibility in thought and action
• Enthusiasm for new spiritual experiences

3. Seek wise counsel from trustworthy sources

"Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her."

Importance of reliable guidance. Sheba's decision to seek wisdom from Solomon underscores the value of finding trustworthy sources of spiritual guidance. In our own lives, this might mean seeking out mentors, studying scripture, or consulting with respected spiritual leaders. The key is to find sources that are both knowledgeable and aligned with godly principles.

Discernment in seeking advice. Not all counsel is created equal. It's crucial to develop discernment in choosing who we listen to and what advice we follow. This involves evaluating the character, knowledge, and fruit of potential advisors. It also means being willing to ask difficult questions and not settling for superficial answers.

Characteristics of wise counsel:

• Grounded in biblical truth
• Demonstrated through personal example
• Offered with humility and compassion
• Encourages growth and independence

4. Allow humility to deepen your relationship with God

"She was overwhelmed."

Power of humility. Sheba's reaction to Solomon's wisdom and wealth demonstrates the transformative power of humility. Being overwhelmed by God's greatness and the wisdom He imparts can lead to a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him. Humility opens our hearts to receive God's truth and grace.

Recognizing our limitations. True humility comes from recognizing our own limitations in the face of God's infinite wisdom and power. This recognition doesn't diminish us; rather, it elevates our understanding of God and our place in His creation. It allows us to approach Him with reverence and awe, ready to learn and grow.

Benefits of humility:

• Increases receptivity to God's guidance
• Fosters genuine worship and praise
• Promotes spiritual growth and maturity
• Improves relationships with others

5. Practice honesty in all aspects of life

"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.'"

Courage in truth-telling. Sheba's honest admission of her initial skepticism demonstrates the importance of truthfulness in our spiritual journey. Honesty, even when it's difficult or potentially embarrassing, is crucial for genuine growth and authentic relationships with both God and others.

Integrity in faith. Living with integrity means aligning our words, thoughts, and actions with the truth we've discovered. For Sheba, this meant publicly acknowledging the reality of Solomon's wisdom and, by extension, the power of his God. For us, it means living out our faith consistently, even when it's challenging.

Areas for practicing honesty:

• Self-reflection and personal growth
• Relationships with others
• Worship and communication with God
• Sharing our faith with others

6. Encourage others to strengthen their faith

"How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!"

Power of encouragement. Sheba's words of praise for Solomon's people highlight the importance of encouraging others in their faith journey. Positive reinforcement can strengthen resolve, boost morale, and inspire greater dedication to spiritual growth. As believers, we have the opportunity to uplift and support one another in our walk with God.

Building community. Encouragement is a key component in building strong, supportive faith communities. By recognizing and affirming the blessings and wisdom others have received, we contribute to a culture of mutual support and shared spiritual growth. This fosters an environment where faith can flourish.

Ways to encourage others:

• Recognize and affirm spiritual growth
• Share personal testimonies of God's work
• Offer sincere compliments and appreciation
• Provide support during challenging times

7. Praise God in all circumstances

"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."

Centrality of praise. Sheba's spontaneous praise for God demonstrates the natural outcome of encountering His wisdom and power. Praise should be a central aspect of our spiritual lives, not just in times of blessing, but in all circumstances. It's an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and goodness, regardless of our current situation.

Transformative power of praise. Praising God can transform our perspective, shifting our focus from our problems to His power and love. It reminds us of His faithfulness and strengthens our faith. Regular praise can cultivate a heart of gratitude and a deeper awareness of God's presence in our lives.

Aspects of praising God:

• Acknowledges His sovereignty and goodness
• Expresses gratitude for His blessings
• Reinforces our dependence on Him
• Strengthens our faith and trust

8. Give generously as an act of worship

"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."

Generosity as worship. Sheba's lavish gifts to Solomon exemplify generosity as an act of worship and gratitude. Her giving went beyond mere obligation or custom; it was an expression of the value she placed on the wisdom she had received. In our own lives, generous giving can be a tangible expression of our love for God and appreciation for His blessings.

Sacrificial giving. The extravagance of Sheba's gifts underscores the concept of sacrificial giving. True generosity often involves giving beyond what's comfortable or expected. This kind of giving reflects a heart that truly values God above material possessions.

Principles of generous giving:

• Give from a heart of gratitude
• Give sacrificially, not just from excess
• Give with joy, not obligation
• Give to honor God, not to impress others

9. Receive graciously to honor both God and the giver

"King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired and asked for, besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty."

Grace in receiving. Just as Sheba gave generously, she also received graciously from Solomon. This mutual exchange illustrates the importance of being a gracious recipient. Accepting gifts and blessings with genuine appreciation honors both the giver and, ultimately, God, the source of all good gifts.

Humility in acceptance. Receiving graciously requires humility - the ability to acknowledge our needs and accept help from others. It's a recognition that we're not self-sufficient, but part of a community where mutual support and blessing should flow freely. This attitude of humble receptivity extends to our relationship with God, allowing us to fully embrace His grace and blessings.

Keys to gracious receiving:

• Express sincere gratitude
• Recognize the giver's thoughtfulness
• Allow others the joy of giving
• See gifts as reflections of God's provision

10. Strive to end well in your spiritual journey

"Then she left and returned with her retinue to her own country."

Finishing strong. Sheba's return journey symbolizes the importance of ending well in our spiritual walk. Her encounter with Solomon's wisdom and Israel's God transformed her, and she carried that transformation back to her own land. Similarly, we should strive to finish our spiritual journey strong, continuing to grow and impact others until the very end.

Lasting legacy. The impact of Sheba's journey extended far beyond her lifetime, as evidenced by Jesus' later reference to her. This reminds us that how we live and end our spiritual journey can have a lasting impact on future generations. Our faithfulness today can inspire and influence others long after we're gone.

Elements of ending well:

• Maintain faith and integrity to the end
• Continue to seek and share wisdom
• Leave a positive spiritual legacy
• Prepare for the transition to eternity

Last updated: November 18, 2024