You Asked Your Daughter to What!?

Our pastor challenged us to read a chapter of the New Testament every day this year so I’ve been reading Matthew lately. Have you ever noticed how God seems to slip His message into every sermon, every passage, every devotion you read or hear during that time? Yesterday’s passage was Matthew 14 (since it January 14, of course!). I’ve read this lots of times before and heard numerous sermons preached about it. I’ve even taught portions of this passage, but today God gave me a new perspective about what appears to be His theme for me this year – or at least for awhile – focus. Have you ever noticed the number of people who lost their focus in this passage alone? And, wow, the consequences they paid!

Herodias’ focus was on revenge against John the Baptist. Her anger consumed her to the point that it poisoned even her loved ones. She hated him so much she got her own daughter to ask her own father to behead a man. If that wasn’t enough she had her request that head be BROUGHT TO HER. I can’t imagine hating anyone so much that I would want to plan their death, but I definitely wouldn’t plot something so vile with one of my own children! And then to request her to have a severed head brought to her? No way! The very idea of having it brought to me turns my stomach, but I think I would sooner die than ask my child to have it brought to her. What horrible consequences Herodias’ focus on revenge had for her, her daughter, and Herod – death, destruction, sin, hatred, regret….just to name a few!

Wow! What a strong warning not to allow hatred and revenge to seep into our hearts and minds! How destructive!

Lord, guard my heart against hatred and revenge. Help me love those who I feel have done wrong against me. May I see them through your eyes and not mine. May I ever be mindful that my actions and reactions have consequences not only for me but for those around me – including those I love so dearly!