The Untold Half

The Rochester Family’s album “Following The Leader” has several songs that run through my mind. “Don’t It Make You Want To Go” is one of them. Every time I hear it I think of the untold half.

And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard. (1 Kings 10:4-7 KJV)

Sheba came to Solomon with a purpose:

And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. (1 Kings 10:1 KJV)

People with questions still seek out those who have been blessed by the Lord, wanting to know more and often their questions are hard. That much hasn’t changed.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15 KJV)

Are we ready to answer? That’s one reason I spend time with God’s word. How could I possibly be able to answer to anyone why I have hope if I’m not familiar with what He’s given us?

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:13-15 KJV)

That first sentence why I say that salvation is simple. However, it is absolutely necessary that we understand what “call upon” means; what “the name of the Lord” means and what is salvation? There we moved into the next sentences – and the need for those beautiful feet!

I have always been ready to give an answer to anyone who asks me why I believe that God is, why Jesus was born – and died – and why it is so important that our best hope is through His resurrection. But even that is not even half the story that’s written – and a small percentage of the whole story laid out for us. Come. Read with me.