When God made a house for Himself in Israel, the plan was to make it as achingly glorious as possible. Just check off how many times King Solomon lathers on the gold: ‘And Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, and he drew chains of gold across... and overlaid it with gold. And he overlaid the whole house with gold... Also the whole altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary he overlaid with gold’ (1 Kings 6:20-22 ESV). You get the point. But what’s most astonishing about all this? When visitors came to see what was happening in Israel, they didn’t come for the famous building. They came for the man Solomon. Solomon had done nothing himself but ask God for wisdom. And yet the Queen of Sheba came from miles away just to listen to him. Sure she saw the building, but her attention was all on how this guy reflected God’s wisdom - she was so amazed that there was ‘no more breath in her’ (v10:15). Solomon had asked God for wisdom, but he hadn’t seen this coming - leaders from other countries coming to sit at his feet. That’s what happens when God’s ways are released on the earth. The nations gather to listen. People recognise unusual wisdom that comes from outside of this reality (Pharaoh did too - remember when he put Joseph in charge of his country?) So when we’re looking to be ‘salt and light’ in the world, let’s look less to shiny buildings and money. When God makes His face shine on us, we reflect His wisdom, and that makes the world sit up and notice.

What now?
Ask God for wisdom. We’re not saying ‘ask God for an answer to a situation facing you now’ (though He can give that), we’re saying ask for the Spirit of wisdom that says ‘“By me, kings reign.” (Proverbs 8:15 NIV)