말보다 말씀! 빚보다 빛!

[Key Verse]
“When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her.”
(2 Chronicles 9:1–2, NIV)

[Our Story]
We recently traveled to Colorado. A fellow pastor who serves in Colorado Springs graciously helped us make the most of our short stay. The highlight of the journey was, without a doubt, Pikes Peak. Even from the base, the mountain appeared immense. Before allowing us to enter, the staff conducted a series of checks—fuel levels, vehicle condition, particularly the brakes, and whether there were any expectant mothers on board. I wondered what kind of mountain would require such scrutiny, and I began to feel a twinge of anxiety. As we ascended, the incline grew steeper and the air colder. The town below became increasingly distant. At a certain point, the scenery transformed dramatically—trees gave way to barren ground, rock, and sparse grass. The road narrowed, and the slope intensified. Focus was essential; we had to keep our eyes fixed on the path ahead. My wife, sitting beside me, kept her eyes shut tight, unable to look outside. Turning back was not an option. We could only continue, cautiously, until at last we reached the summit—an elevation of approximately 14,000 feet, the highest point I have ever experienced in my life. Standing on that open summit, all anxiety vanished. Looking back on the path we had taken, I found myself reflecting: I simply followed the road, and now I have been lifted to this high place. Gratitude welled up in me, and I was proud of the road we had traveled.

[Bible Story]
2 Chronicles chapters 8 and 9 depict Solomon as one who was lifted up by the Lord. Solomon, in obedience to God’s promise to his father David, built and dedicated the temple. He laid aside his own architectural expertise and followed God’s instructions precisely. As a result, the temple was filled with the glory of the Lord, and Solomon offered a prayer of thanksgiving. Because he faithfully followed God’s guidance, Solomon was naturally lifted. Solomon’s achievements in expansion and governance were outstanding (2 Chronicles 8:1–11). He extended Israel’s borders and subjected the remaining Canaanite peoples to forced labor. His religious and economic accomplishments were equally impressive (2 Chronicles 8:12–18). He faithfully observed the Sabbaths, new moons, and the three major annual feasts—the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Tabernacles. He restructured the duties of the priests and Levites, and expanded Israel’s trade. Solomon enjoyed wealth and fame, so much so that the Queen of Sheba came to witness his wisdom and riches for herself (2 Chronicles 9:1–28). She was utterly astonished. Solomon was exalted—not by self-promotion, but by walking in the way the Lord had shown him. Eventually, he was lifted even further—into the eternal arms of God (2 Chronicles 9:29–31).

[Your Story]
When do you find yourself desiring to be lifted up? And why do you think you should be? One insight I have gained through pastoral ministry is this: the more we crave recognition, the more vulnerable we become to inferiority. Regardless of one's education or wealth, the desire to be exalted can cause self-worth to plummet, while pride soars uncontrollably. Those caught in this cycle often struggle to live in harmony and can even become a threat to the unity of the church. We are called not to exalt ourselves, but to be lifted up—by the Lord. This lifting comes when we walk the path He leads us on. It may be a path that feels tense, frightening, or even unreasonable. Yet, if we remain on that path, we will, in time, find ourselves lifted to heights we never imagined. And the final destination of that lifting is the embrace of Christ Himself.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
(1 Peter 5:6, NIV)

Blessings,
Rev. Hyung Joong Kim

Copyrightⓒ 2025 by Hyung Joong Kim