What role does testimony play in sharing God's work, as seen in 1 Kings 10:6? Setting the Moment: Hearing Turns to Seeing 1 Kings 10:6: “She said to the king, ‘The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true.’ ” Key observations • The Queen of Sheba arrives having only second-hand reports of Solomon’s wisdom and achievements. • Her first words after witnessing Solomon’s court affirm that the reports were accurate. • Verse 9 immediately links what she saw to praise for “the LORD your God,” showing that testimony about Solomon ultimately pointed to God’s greatness. Why Testimony Matters • Validates God’s work in the eyes of outsiders. • Moves people from curiosity to conviction (“the report…is true”). • Transfers glory upward—she doesn’t merely applaud Solomon; she blesses the LORD (v. 9). • Creates a multiplying effect: her confirmation becomes a fresh report that will spread back to her homeland. Scriptural Echoes • Psalm 66:16 — “Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.” • John 4:39 — “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony.” • Acts 4:20 — “For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” • Revelation 12:11 — “They overcame him…by the word of their testimony.” Principles for Our Own Storytelling • Speak what you have truly seen. Authenticity carries divine weight. • Let the facts lead to praise, not self-promotion. Point people to the Source behind the story. • Expect God to use your account to draw seekers closer. Your words may be the “report” that drives someone to look for Him. • Keep sharing even ordinary acts of God; small confirmations build collective confidence in His faithfulness. Practical Steps • Write down answered prayers and specific provisions—these details bolster future testimony. • Share God’s works in everyday conversation, not only during formal gatherings. • Celebrate others’ testimonies; they strengthen the whole community’s faith and readiness to speak. Living It Out Like the Queen of Sheba, many around us have only “heard reports.” When we faithfully recount what God has done, we invite them to “come and see,” and their eventual praise rises beyond us to glorify the Lord who remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. |
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