No matter how hard I tried, it was impossible for me to remember to enter the car on the left-hand side. And I have to admit I was a bit nervous as my husband drove us from the airport to our hotel.
Roundabouts and driving on the opposite side of the road, served as reminders we were no longer in America. From power outlets and transportation, to dinner times and cuisines – every culture does things a little differently.
More than comfort
Hotel elevators and rooms seemed much smaller than those in the states. Air-conditioning wasn’t as commonplace. Things I took for granted back in America were luxuries overseas. The differences pointed to an important fact: life is about far more than our comfort.
King Solomon was the wealthiest man on earth, and knew a little something about the comforts of life. Yet, after he built the temple, he offered up a prayer to the Lord that shows us his heart:
Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name. 1 Kings 8:43 (emphasis mine)
A specific purpose
Solomon built the temple for the purpose of pointing people to the Lord. Remember the Queen of Sheba? Her visit is recorded just a couple chapters later. She had heard such wild things about Solomon and his kingdom that she had to check them out for herself.
It must have been quite a visit. Look at her reaction:
…there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. 1 Kings 10:5b-6
The response
But her response didn’t stop there. Her focus shifted from King Solomon to the King of the Universe:
Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. 1 Kings 10:9
Based on the Queen of Sheba’s response, she was able to see beyond Solomon to the God he served.
Your turn
Are you caught up in the comforts of this life? Or are others able to see beyond you to the God you serve? What step are you willing to take today so “all people of the earth” may know the name of the Lord?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding me that life is about much more than comfort. Let King Solomon’s prayer motivate me to point others to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
