Key scripture -“When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions” (1 Kings 10:1 NIV).

When you think of the Queen of Sheba, do you picture her as being Delilah, Nefertiti and Cleopatra all rolled into one — an exotic beauty from a foreign land with wealth, power and appeal?

If so, then it’s time to meet the real Queen of Sheba and leave the Hollywood version behind.

A leader of uncommon boldness and vision, this real-life queen traveled from the ends of the earth to seek wisdom, drawn to King Solomon’s doorstep because of his bond with the One true God, who was wisdom Himself.

The Queen of Sheba journeyed for two months across an unforgiving desert — on a camel. All we have to do is cross the room, reach for our Bibles and God’s wisdom is ours for the taking.

Maybe that’s the problem. His Word is so convenient to us that it is conveniently forgotten. We say to ourselves, “I’ll read it later. I’ll start tomorrow. I am too tired. I am too busy.”

Or we wait until we’re desperate for answers, then don’t know where to find them. We aimlessly flip from one chapter of the Bible to another, looking for a verse that will magically solve everything.

The Queen of Sheba took a different route. As we see in our key verse, she put her royal life on hold and made seeking wisdom her number-one priority. Here’s what she teaches us about wisdom by her good example:

1. Wisdom requires time.
We say, “Time is money,” but the truth is, time is worth more than money. It can’t be bought, sold or bargained with. Each minute ticks by, never to be seen again. If we can spend 10 minutes each morning bathing in a hot shower, we can start off by spending at least 10 minutes being cleansed by His Word. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, NIV).

2. Wisdom requires sacrifice.
Try turning off your television and start reading the Bible. Do what?! It may be hard at first, but as the months go by, you will forget about what you are missing and rejoice in what you are learning. “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7, NIV). In case you’re wondering, when the television returns, it will not have the same appeal. God’s plan, absolutely!

3. Wisdom requires humility.
We hate admitting we don’t have all the answers, yet that’s what seeking wisdom is all about. It’s saying, “Lord, I haven’t a clue, but You do.” Admitting, “I don’t know, but I know the One who does.” Only then will God’s wisdom be revealed for what it is: His and His alone. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”(Proverbs 11:2, NIV).

As the Queen of Sheba discovered, information is interesting and facts are fascinating, but wisdom is world-changing. Wisdom is the resource we bring to the workplace, the encouragement we offer to our friends, the gift we give to the body of Christ, the legacy we leave for our children. “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28, NIV)

However full your schedule is, adding just one more line to your to-do list can make all the difference: Open God’s Word. Find wisdom there today.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, help me to never to take for granted Your Word or the wisdom it contains in it. Father, only You give wisdom; from Your mouth comes knowledge and understanding; You store up sound wisdom for the upright; You are a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of Your saints. I want wisdom to come into my heart, knowledge to be pleasant to my soul, discretion to watch over me, and understanding to guard me. Then I will understand righteousness, justice, equity, and every good path. (Proverbs 2:1-11). I want to make my ear attentive to wisdom and incline my heart to understanding as I call out to You for insight and raise my voice for understanding, and if I seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then I will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. I receive Your words and treasure up Your commandments. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.