MEMORISE:
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2
READ: Matthew 14:6-11
6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.
9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
MESSAGE
Today’s Bible reading narrates the sad story of how unbridled merriment can propel a man to do what he would otherwise not have done. The devil is a cunning old serpent. He knows too well that his chances of success are slim whenever he attacks a child of God directly. He therefore deploys tricks to attack people when they are in a vulnerable state, such as when the heart is merry and full of happiness. When you are light-hearted, be watchful so that it does not end in sorrow and regret. This is why the wisdom of God in Proverb 14:13 teaches us that
“Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.”
A quick lesson we should learn from the story in today’s Bible reading is that merriment outside of God will always end up in crisis. King Herod was very sorry for making the promise he had made to his daughter, probably under the influence alcohol, but it was too late for him to take back the oath he had committed himself to in his light-heart mood. Another lesson we should learn here is that the enemy looks out for moments when you let your guard down, and then he strikes. Examples of such moments are times when you just won a victory and when you are in high spirits. Happiness often has the same effect as alcohol on the reasoning faculties of man, and so you need to watch it.
There is a type of laughter that is derived from pleasurable but sinful acts. The Bible refers to such laughter as the crackling of thorns under a pot (Ecclesiastes 7:6). The Israelites manifested such laughter and merriment when they made a golden calf for themselves as their god. Exodus 32:6 says:
“And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”
But for Moses’ intercessory prayers, they would have been wiped off the face of the earth by this foolish act. It is commonly said that “He who laughs last, laughs best.” The last and best laughter is the laugh in eternity with our Maker. Speaking about this laughter, Jesus Christ in Luke 6:21b says:
“Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”
When the Messiah shall return the second time, he shall put an end to all suffering, and there shall be everlasting laughter (Revelations 21:1-7). Ensure you don’t miss it!
PRAYER POINT:
Father, help me not to indulge in any act that would give me temporary happiness and produce eternal sorrow.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 22; 1 Timothy 1
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 5: I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS
1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
2. The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
3. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though- none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
4. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
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