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. 1 Kings 10:1
Has that ever happened to you? Someone who is skeptical or turned off by “religion” hears you are a believer and comes to rib you- to get you to stumble over your own words. Most likely they already have their minds set that they are going to find holes in your faith large enough to see through. They are not searching for Truth, but want to convert you into believing their lies. If this happens- do what Solomon did.
Solomon knew where his wisdom came from- because he had asked for it above all else and God had given it to him. He answered only after he relied on God to give him the wisdom. So should we. We need to stop, send up a prayer for the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and tongues. God knows the heart of the skeptic. He knows what can be said. No, you may not be the one to turn them around- only God can do that. But you may be part of the long process that leads them to faith. Don’t miss the opportunity to honestly confess Him as Lord and let your faith stand firm. That is what Solomon did, and the Queen of Sheba ended up confessing that God was definitely with him and praised the Lord for it. Truth reigned.
There is nothing wrong with asking the hard questions: like why did a child have to die, or how can a loving God allow such horrible violence, or why do religious people kill in the name of God? Recently in a small town near us, two high school students – very lovely, upstanding, smart Christian girls – were walking down the street and a store awning just gave way and crushed them. Why? Hard questions. Answer- only God knows. Better answer- let me hug you and pray for God to bring you peace in your sorrow. What else can I do for you? I’ll be here today, tomorrow and in the months and years to come. So will God.
Heavenly Father- all knowing, all seeing, all loving, source of our peace; our wisdom comes from You alone. Give us the words to say and the heart to act in Your name to bring a hurting, confused world back to Your Truth. Show me today how I can help others see You. Let me not shy from hard questions, whether asked by others or myself. You said to ask in Your Son’s name. You are a God who keeps His promise and who is and was and will be forever. Amen.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. Proverbs 3:5-7
