“Herod had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
“But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you… Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom…’ And she… asked, saying, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.” Mark 6:17-23,25-28
Noted for a wide range of conflicting emotions that dictated ever swinging decisions, Herod was anything but a steady leader. His eyes glanced between solid and salacious, his heart swerved between conviction and lust, and his mind swayed between truth and temptation borne of insecurity and pride. He did not know whom he wanted to please most or to whom he ultimately answered. When conscience said one thing, emotions dictated another, and his thoughtless snap decisions wrought great folly, to his eternal detriment.
Steady, steady. Take a step back. Harness your emotions. Check your conscience. Hold onto truth. Heed warnings. Herod would smother every red flag the Lord offered. All glad listening, proper fear, and recognition of holiness went by the wayside when flesh and fancy were stirred and fickle impulses reined.
Oh, how carefully we must keep emotion in check! What logic tells us the flesh does not always follow. What the Holy Spirit prompts we do not always heed. The enemy will use all ammunition, physical and psychological, to undo righteous resolve. We must be alert, we must stand steady, we must keep guard against his wiles.
In present situations, what is my stance? Do I pride myself in going with the flow of what feels good, or relish doing things my way, independent of concern for others or accountability to my God? Where am I taking lightly His standards and warnings, trusting my own fallen conscience?
How well do I know how the Lord has called me to live? What decisions can I make ahead of time in serious prayer that will hold me fast in times of temptation? Will I commit to honoring Him above all else?
Father, keep me steady in every temptation, fixed in Your truth and for Your honor.
As the rain and snow 