2 Chronicles 1: Exalted Exceedingly

This morning, I didn’t get very far into my reading. The first verse pulled me in.  “God was with him and exalted him exceedingly.”

Talk about massive success—wealth, influence, comfort, popularity. It made me ask myself “what does elevation actually mean in the kingdom sense?”  The world and the Word define “exalted” in very different ways. In the world, exaltation looks like recognition In many ways—promotion, praise, and even being set apart as someone to admire. In the kingdom, it looks more like surrender. True exaltation begins when a heart bows low, not when a person climbs high.

I have so much to learn, still. Solomon’s story is such a picture of that. His rise didn’t come from ambition or status; it came from humility. When God gave him the opportunity to ask for anything, he chose wisdom—wisdom to lead well, to serve faithfully, and to honor God in his position. That is the kind of heart God can trust with influence. As much as I feel aligned to the Lord's purposes in my life I cannot say this would have been my first request. Maybe it would have been, but I truly don't know.

Being “exalted exceedingly” wasn’t about Solomon’s name being known; it was about God’s name being magnified through him. Kingdom exaltation is never about spotlight—it’s about stewardship. God strengthened Solomon so that everything he built would reflect the heart of the One who called him.

It’s had me asking myself—would I still want to be “exalted exceedingly” if it didn’t look like the world's kind? Seriously, what If it meant greater peace, deeper surrender, or unseen obedience instead of applause? How would I feel. Would I be okay with that or would my flesh drive for something more? I know I get frustrated enough when I feel taken for granted at home or unappreciated. I truly struggle with it. I feel like just when I think I finally am getting it together something else is brought to my attention. It's usually something I'm not proud of either.

I’m learning the highest place in the Lords kingdom is often the most surrendered one, AKA, a very humble one. Makes me think of one of my fav worship songs by SEU Worship: WHAT A GOD

This isn’t just pretty language… it’s the essence of Kingdom perspective. It flips the world’s definition of success upside down.

The world says: The Kingdom says:

🏆 Climb higher. 🪜 Bow lower.

📈 Build bigger. 🔥 See His glory.

🚪 Get your name known. 👑 Let His name be lifted high.