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Fascination Can Be Dangerous
Andrea Lende • April 26, 2021
Matthew 14:6-7
Fascination Can Be Dangerous
You can also listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Fascination-Can-Be-Dangerous-evn1bm
Matthew 14:6-7
“But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the mist [before the company] and pleased and fascinated Herod.”
“And so he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.”
Of course, this is the story of how John the Baptist was killed.
Herod was fascinated.
Fascinated by a dancing girl.
The women of the day were typically fully clothed and wore veils in public.
So, this dancing display would have been very provocative for the times.
As such, Herod couldn’t restrain himself.
He wanted to give her something.
And not just something, but anything.
Anything she wanted.
He was hasty with his actions and words.
He let himself be carried away by her movements and motions.
Some say he had too much to drink.
He was definitely not using good sense, judgment, or wisdom.
As I read this passage today, I, too was convicted.
Convicted because there have been many things that I have found intriguing and chased after.
I’ve acted in haste and chased so many dreams only to come up empty and dry.
I didn’t include the Lord in most of them.
I have acted like a toddler much of my life with the ‘I do it myself’ attitude.
I think of strong-willed toddlers who dress themselves in a sort of mix and match theme.
Shoes on the wrong foot, not tied properly, or are unmatched.
Socks that don’t match shoes.
And clothes that don’t match any of the above.
They take pride in their appearance and look for our approval as well.
We look on with possible disdain and embarrassment as we take them out in public.
Some days it’s just easier to let them be themselves and do it themselves than to fight another battle.
I imagine God in heaven looking down on me as ‘I do it myself’.
He sees the mess I’m making and eventual doom, but He lets me fall and fail until I’m ready to let Him take the wheel.
When I come to the end of myself, I seek the Lord.
I realize I have acted without wisdom and need His direction.
He is always there to pick me up, dust me off, and teach me a new way.
Today I am thankful the Lord doesn’t give up on me and am thankful He will teach me even if I have acted in haste and made a mistake.
May you find the Lord is always available for you to call upon and will fill you with His wisdom.
Daily Prayer:
O Lord, my God, thank You for showing me more about how a lack of wisdom is disastrous to me and those around me. Thank You for showing me I need to slow down and not be so hasty. Thank You for showing me I shouldn’t be swayed or moved by the next fascination or shiny object vying for my attention. Keep my eyes on You instead of the world, Lord. May You impart more wisdom into my soul – as much wisdom as You will give me. Help me slow down and bring my plans to You first instead of a friend or loved one. I desire counsel from You, Father. Speak to me in ways I can understand. Help me follow You and You, alone. Help me be obedient to You in every way. Keep me Yours, Lord. Keep me Yours. Help me bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing my prayer.
Answer: I AM with you My child and I will lead and guide you with wisdom and counsel.
Response: Help me hear You and follow You, Lord.
We start a New Year! How exciting! Paul had just finished telling the Ephesians to put off their old nature. They had been run around by their feelings and desires. He told them to be renewed in their spirit. The Amplified Bible defines this to be “having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.” As we say goodbye to this year, let us put on the new and leave the old behind. We have an opportunity to reflect on what to bring forward into this New Year.
This is a great message for the New Year. We can be in control of our own words. As a mother, I used to tell my children to use their words to explain what was happening in their minds. I tried to help them find the right words. Words that would help the situation and not make it worse. I must do the same thing when talking to them. It’s important to use words that do not damage their spirits. Words that lift up instead of tear down. Even though my children have grown, I still want to be careful how I speak to them because my worlds will impact them for the rest of their lives.
As we approach the New Year, it is a perfect time to take inventory of what part of our lives, our hearts, and our souls are not bearing fruit. What can we give up as this year comes to a close? What do we need to give to the Lord for His cleansing and pruning? The answers to these questions take time. Time with the Lord. We are creatures of routines and habits which serve us well. But we can also change our routines and habits to serve us and the Lord better. So, we can ask God to show us what He wants us to give up so that He can have more of us.
I cannot think of a better verse to meditate on as we approach the New Year. Jesus said, "the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." For so many years I believed I had to wait to go to heaven to experience the kingdom of God. I have longed to step into heaven and meet the Lord and His Son. However, as we read the Gospels and study Jesus and all that He said, we begin to understand the kingdom of God is all around us. The kingdom of God is within.
Paul wrote to the Colossians and told them he was praying for them. He prayed they would be refreshed, renewed, and invigorated. He also prayed they would be strengthened. May his prayer be heard by the Lord God Almighty on our behalf today just as it was received two thousand years ago. God is the Source of all things beautiful and wonderful. There is no shortage of renewal, refreshment, or inspiration in His kingdom. And as the Creator of this universe, He continues to pour all good things into His people. Paul wrote that refreshment and strength are needed so we may have endurance.
This verse is the perfect verse to reflect on as Christmas comes to a close. The Lord sent His Son to us. He sent Him to this world as a babe. Jesus was given the task of growing up. A difficult one for all of us. He endured the awkward stages we all go through as we grow past them. I look back at old picture and cringe, yes, I cringe. This life provides plenty of opportunities to feel awkward and just plain weird, but our Father loves us as though we are perfect every day of our lives. This is why Jesus came. He came to make us perfect in God’s sight.
God made Himself flesh so He could take away the sins of the world. The story of the very first Christmas was humble, yet the most powerful and loving birth ever recorded in history. All humanity changed in an instant. When Jesus was born, love filled the earth. Love came down and lifted us up. The angels came to tell the shepherds of this beautiful birth. The stars in the heavens also told the story. As we do all tasks that we do to ensure a beautiful Christmas day, may we remember the miracle that God sent long ago. The miracle of all miracles.
The first Christmas was going to be documented, so that it could be read many times over for all Christmas’ to come. It was also documented so the prophecy of the Messiah’s birth would be known to be fulfilled. Prophets of old foretold Jesus would come from the house of David. They also prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem. And all this came to pass. Even though Jesus would be known as a Nazarene, His beginning began in Bethlehem. God’s divine plan was set in motion with the first census while Mary was at the end of her pregnancy.
What a wonderful passage to read during Christmas week. Our passage touched my heart as I read it through the lens of Jesus’ birth. “It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself.” We have so much to be thankful for in these few short words, “restoring the world to favor with Himself.” So undeserved and yet so graciously given. We are offered favor with the Lord. Imagine having favor with the almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Jesus chose to leave heaven’s door where all was perfect. He chose to be born into this dusty messy world.
Jesus had just spoken to a fig tree and deemed it unworthy to live because it had no fruit on it. His disciples were amazed when they saw the fig tree wither and die. Then the Lord talked to them about prayer and belief. He told them that whatever they asked for, if they had the faith and belief, they would receive it. I remember the day I started hearing music and lyrics. I had just bowed my head at the piano and asked if the Lord would bless praise and worship music. As soon as I prayed that prayer, the Lord bestowed the gift of song writing upon me.