Bibledoorajar joins the Queen in noticing the attendance of Solomon's Ministers

     A while back, I received an invitation to attend the wedding of a dear friend. In sharing her happiness, I came to understand her disappointment in the way her Maid of Honor had not carried out the expected responsibilities that went with her position. While she wanted to be in her wedding, she did nothing to help the bride or to meet her needs. For me, her lack of service overshadowed her standing with the bride during the ceremony. Questions came to mind. What was it? Did the Maid not know what was expected of her when she agreed to the position? Did she not care enough to find out how she could serve her friend, the bride? Did she wish to ignore all the social conventions assigned to her role and just enjoy the glory of being on display at the wedding? Did she not see that her actions were not a befitting way to honor the bride?

     The queen of Sheba noticed how Solomon's ministers attended to his needs. They were dedicated to the king and assisted him in carrying out his noble and honorable purposes. They took their standing in the presence of the king seriously and made sure it was befitting his position and in no wise brought dishonor to him. Here, in this rendering by Sir Edward John Poynter entitled "The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon" (1890), we see the attendants in the king's presence.

    
     In the songs of ascent recorded in the Psalms, there is one which calls on the ministers of God to bless Him. They are to be ministers who serve each night in the house of the Lord. They were to lift up holy hands toward His sanctuary and bless His name. (Ps. 134). James (3:9) encouraged his listeners to guard the mouth and resist letting anything come forth that would not speak well of the bridegroom. Christians have been placed in the body as ministers of the Lord. We lift up holy hands and praise His name. At all times, our challenge is to stand in our places attending to the needs of our Lord and serving Him. In so doing, we bring honor to our Father, the God of Heaven. Ministers of Jesus Christ are called to be devout and honorable men and women in their communities. As such, they would never consider activities which are less than that befitting our King. Mrs. Charles Barnard wrote:
                                                    "Give of your best to the Master;
                                                      Give Him first place in your heart;
                                                      Give Him fist place in your service,
                                                      Consecrate every part."
    
Hear our prayer, O God, we want to function in the roles and ministries You have given us in such ways that we always bring honor to Your Name and to your Kingdom. Thank you for giving us the power to do so. We as for Your favor so that what others may see will be attendants bent on honoring our King through service to Him and others. In His Name, Amen.