Morning Moments

Read 1 Kings 10

Why would this woman with so much (Queen of Sheba) come so far with so much to see Solomon? Because what was told about him was absolutely unbelievable. BUT, "...Behold a greater than Solomon is here," Jesus said in Matthew 12:42.

She was Curious! She came, she saw, and she was conquered. "There was no more spirit in her."

As I shared with my friend about God's love and grace and willingness to save him and deliver him from his torment (see yesterdays blog), he became more and more respectful of me, but more and more resistant of God. I wish my story had a happy ending, but it does not.

His curiosity had led us to a close friendship. He did not have to "play doctor" with me. He could ask anything, say anything, share anything without my criticism or condemnation. AND he did just that.

When I first entered his office I discerned the demonic activity because of the Egyptian Cross hanging on his wall. The providence of God had led me to a book published in the '60s about a Brazilian peasant name Arigo. The book was entitled "Arigo: Surgeon with a Rusty Knife."

I began to understand more and more the demonic control of my friend. He came, we communed, I cared, we cried, but he would not commit. One day he confessed to me that he was possessed with a spirit of one of Hitler's physicians, and that through the study of Greek Mythology, he had made a commitment to Satan that he could not get out of. He had asked for three things: Medical degree, successful practice and wealth. He had gotten it all but was a tormented soul.

One day his wife told me that someone had come to their home with a portrait he had paid them to paint. It was my friend in a Nazi officer's uniform. The eyes of my understanding were more and more opened.

One night my wife and I were at a football game when the ambulance passed. I said to her, "let's go, something is wrong." We drove directly to my friend's home and found that his wife had pulled him from the bottom of the swimming pool, given him CPR and he was transfered to the hospital. In the emergency room I told him that God had given him the miracle he had looked for by reviving him. BUT he continued to reject.

One day sometime later, I received a call that he had taken his own life. I wept bitterly. Was there more I could have or should have done? Why did God let me get so close to him and then it end this way? I hurt so badly for him. I loved him. He was my friend, but he would not surrender to Jesus.

My friend, many come to see if what we have said about our Lord is true. Some go so far as to commune with us about themselves and their need for Him. A few confess and commit, but not ALL do! What I told you happened to me in the '70s, and it is still as fresh on my mind as if it happened yesterday.

The woman in our text obviously trusted Solomon's God to be her own. I wish my friend had done the same.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for saving me. I have not always been obedient, in fact, there have been times I have been a bit obstinent. Forgive me. Break me, mold me, make me, fill me that somehow my life will bring praise and honor to you and that my friends will see my God in me and trust YOU.