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-The Music Man will be presented as our fall theatrical event...click here (www.ChristMemorialProductions.org) for full details and audition information. 

      Performances: November 13, 14,15 at 7:30 pm and November 16 at 2:00.

      Auditions: August 16 and 17 from 1- 5 PM..

Devotions

Solomon (3)

King of Glory

Readings: 2 Chronicles 9:13-28 and Matthew 13:44-46

The glorious wealth of Solomon’s kingdom was awesome to behold. He received 25 tons of gold annually (1 Kings 10:14). His throne was inlaid with ivory and gold. All the royal goblets were gold. Silver was so common it was not even used. Solomon owned hundreds of chariots and thousands of horses. Scripture tells us, “Solomon was greater in riches . . . than all the other kings of the earth” (1 Kings 10:23).

Solomon certainly was a king who reigned in great glory. But he was only a brief glimpse of a King who reigns in even greater glory—our Lord Jesus. How much is His kingdom worth? Jesus Himself tells us, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field” (Matt. 13:44). The kingdom over which Jesus reigns is worth far more than gold or silver. It cost the Son of God His very life—His body broken on the cross for you—His blood, shed on the cross for you. You have a place in His kingdom by believing in Him.

The queen of Sheba was reluctant to believe the news of Solomon’s great wealth. She said, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements . . . is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in . . . wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard” (1 Kings 10:6-7).

So also, when Thomas heard the good news of Jesus’ resurrection, he was so doubtful. “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it” (John 20:25). Thomas and the queen of Sheba believed because they saw with their own eyes. But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

The earthly kingdom of Solomon did not last. His son reigned for only five years before it began to collapse, “In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem. He carried off the treasures of the temple of the Lord and the treasures of the royal palace” (1 Kings 14:25-26). But the wealth of the kingdom of heaven will last forever (Matt. 6:19-21).

We receive a portion of that wealth when, through faith in Christ, our sins are forgiven. We share that wealth when we forgive those who have sinned against us (Matt. 18:21-22). But the complete glory of God’s kingdom will not be revealed until the last day. Then we will see heaven in all its glory, as St. John envisioned. “The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone . . . jasper . . . emerald . . . topaz and . . . amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass” (Rev. 21:18-21). There, we will reign with Christ forever (2 Tim. 2:12).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for preparing a place for me in Your kingdom. I know You will reveal its glory when You return. Keep me faithful until then. Amen.