February 8 - The Throne of Israel

Today's Reading:
1 Kings 9:1-10:29
1 Corinthians 14:18-40
Psalm 91:1-8 
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Focus Verses:
1 Kings 10:9
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."

Insight:
Solomon's fame became widespread because God's blessing on him and his kingdom was so great. The Queen of Sheba heard about God's blessing upon Solomon, and she traveled far to see for herself if the reports were true. The reality of what she discovered exceeded the reports she had heard. The wisdom, faith, beauty, leadership, and bounty she witnessed overwhelmed her.

When God is at work, people notice. Honest searches for the source of wisdom, truth, beauty, and blessing will always lead the searcher to God—the giver of every good and perfect gift.

When Solomon forgot that his blessing and power had come from God, he became compromised and ineffective. Losing sight of what the Queen of Sheba saw was ruin of his reign.

Response and Action:
Like the Queen of Sheba, I want to search out and recognize God's blessing and truth. Like Solomon, I want to love and honor God live a life that evidences his blessing and guidance. I want to be a living witness of God's wisdom and goodness, to be shaped and guided by his wisdom and truth.

O God, give me wisdom and make my life a testimony of your goodness. Help me to seek you with all my heart so that every aspect of my life gives evidence of your blessing. Protect me from the things that would make me lose sight of you. Draw me closer to you each day and help me to recognize you in everything that is beautiful and true. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses:  
Matthew 12:42
42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.

Resources:
Serious Times: Making Your Life Matter in an Urgent Day
by James Emery White