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Day 37: Reputation vs Reality 2 (SoS 1:4f)

  "Draw me away! We will run after you. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you." Song of Songs 1:4

In this age of the internet and social media, we are constantly bombarded by products and services with very compelling advertisements. Some turn out to be just as said and others disappointing. Many fans meet their idols and are shocked by the reality behind the internet facade. We're still on the Bride's witness of her Beloved (rightly do they love you) after time spent with him in the chamber.

In 1 Kings 10, the Queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's wealth and wisdom, and she came bearing gifts to see if what she had been told of the wisest man on earth was true. At the end of her tour, after hearing incomparable words of wisdom from Solomon's lips and seeing His wealth, she said in verses 6-7:

 “...It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. ”

Jesus' splendor is far greater than Solomon's. He is the heir and King of the whole world after all and 1 Corinthians 1:24 tells us He is the very wisdom of God.

In the gospels, we see the example of many who came to Jesus because they had heard of Him. Many who had only heard had opportunities to witness His compassion and mighty works and never was it recorded that anyone was disappointed. In fact, in Mark 5:42, the Bible tells us the crowd who witnessed Jairus' daughter rise from the dead were overcome with great wonder and utter amazement (Amplified version).

This same Jesus is the one we've come to love and serve and Paul in Hebrews 13:8 say:

 “Jesus the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

As the Queen of Sheba was invited to Solomon's palace, our invitation is in Mathew 11:28-30:

 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  

First, as the Queen of Sheba came to hear of Solomon's wisdom, we must come to the chamber with the intention to sit at Jesus' feet so we may learn from Him. It's what Mary did and Jesus said she had chosen the best part. So it's what we must do daily to have an experience of Him and partake of His wisdom.

Second, just like the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon bearing gifts we must come with our own gifts. Jesus asks for our burdens, our very lives. Lives tainted by sin and all the manifestations of death. Like Solomon, Jesus gives a greater gift in return, His life, His easy yoke. A life that is eternal, a life that supersedes death. That seems to me like the best bargain ever.

In every chamber experience, we must come humble, (ready to learn) and we must submit our lives as a sacrifice. When we do these, we'll see and experience Jesus in His fullness and at the conclusion of every chamber experience we'll be able to say about Jesus as the Queen said about Solomon that indeed the half was not told us. And like the Bride, we'll say: rightly do they love you.

PRAY WITH ME:

Lord, I come to you today and I make a new commitment to sit at your feet each day and learn from you. I let go of every attachment to myself and receive the grace to accurately use the gift you've given me: your life. Amen.

REFLECT AND ACT:

- Is there any time in your life you had an encounter that surpassed the reports you've heard of Jesus?

- How do you come to Jesus in His chambers? Do you come humbly, ready to learn wisdom at His feet or do you hold on to your opinions? 

- Do you surrender your life to take on His? Are you committed to living the life He wants?

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