The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Chronicles 9:1-7,
"When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, she came to Jerusalem... 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!'"
"When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's fame, she came to Jerusalem... 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!'"
The queen of Sheba had heard amazing things about Solomon and went to go see for herself what it was that was so fascinating about him. As we read in the passage above, she was not disappointed. At first she could not believe what she heard, then, seeing for herself, she exclaimed she had not heard the half of it!
I may be going out on a limb here, but this account is a bit of an allegory to me concerning one of the many purposes of worship.
I am completely convinced that the overriding purpose of this life is the building of God's kingdom, his family. This life is all about the redemption of mankind since the fall in the garden. One of the many aspects of worship is that the Lord is not the only audience in public worship. Others are affected by our worship. I am sure many have been impacted by the worship God receives from his people and it prompts them to find out for themselves: who is this Jesus Christ that moves people so?
When we hear something or someone is wonderful, we want to find out for ourselves, we are drawn to it. We just may want to partake of it ourselves.
God does not require our worship of him to feel good about himself. However, it is good for us to communicate to him our adulation and reverence for him. In addition, our worship of him brings about other things in our own lives and the lives of others, as well.
Just as the queen was drawn to find out for herself about these wonderful things of Solomon, so others are drawn to the Lord when they hear the wonderful things we have to say about the Lord in our worship.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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