And When
2 Chronicles 9:1
"And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart."
Everybody has an "and when" time nearly every week of their life. Let me explain what I mean. The verse above says, "And when the queen of Sheba heard...she came to prove Solomon with hard questions..." The "and when" time is when people come to ask you questions. The queen of Sheba was one of those in Solomon's life who asked questions, and Solomon was ready for those questions. He was not going to allow his "and when" time to be a time when he didn't have an answer for those who needed answers. He studied to have an answer so he could better help people serve the LORD.
The Scriptures say in 1 Peter 3:15, "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:" God expects His children to prepare themselves when their "and when" times comes. Nobody knows when this time will come for them, but they should make sure that they are ready when it does come. There are several times when you should be ready to give an answer when your "and when" time comes.
First, be ready to give an answer concerning the Gospel at all times. I have watched many so-called men of God on national television squander their "and when" time when they were asked whether Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. Every day of your life you will have a chance to answer the "and when" question concerning the Gospel. Always be ready to give an answer to those who need the answer concerning their eternity.
Second, be ready to give an answer concerning the Word of God. In life you will find people who will want to ask you hard questions concerning the Scriptures, and when that time comes you should be ready to answer them. The best way to be ready when your "and when" time comes concerning the Scriptures is to daily study the Scriptures so that you will know how to answer every question that comes your way.
Third, be ready to give an answer concerning current issues. One of the troubling things I have seen in Christianity is how little people know about current issues. I can certainly understand someone going through an emergency situation in their life not knowing current issues, but as a principle you should know what is going on so you can give an answer when asked. Don't allow your "and when" time concerning current issues to be a time when you don't have an answer.
Last, be ready to give an answer about questions concerning life. Your life should be a constant classroom where you continually improve your knowledge about every area of life so you can give an answer when asked. Many people won't learn because they don't care about something, and that is unacceptable. You should always be ready to give an answer. When your "and when" time comes concerning questions of life, be knowledgeable so you can give an answer.
We all admire Solomon for having the answers to the questions he was asked, but you should also have the answers like he did. He had to work and study to have the answers, which means you will have to do the same. Use your "and when" times to help people come closer to Christ and salvation by having an answer for them when they ask you those hard questions. When you give an answer to the hard questions, you will gain their respect and attention, which will allow you to give them an answer concerning salvation.