Getting Our Own Way

Getting Our Own Way

Herodias

Read: Mark 6:26-29

When Herodias’s daughter followed her mother’s advice to ask Herod for John’s head, Herodias finally got her own way. Herod had refused to kill the prophet, but now Herodias had him trapped. Herod couldn’t back down from his rash promise in front of his party guests, so he immediately sent soldiers to the prison to behead John. When Herodias’s daughter handed her the platter bearing John’s head, did Herodias feel a thrill at the grisly sight of her conquered enemy? Did she sigh with relief, thinking how much better her life would be now that she had rid herself of the one who seemed to delight in pointing out her sin?

As Herodias celebrated her victory, she had no idea how much she had lost. God had sent John to proclaim the truth to Herod and Herodias and to urge them to turn from their sin. When Jesus later appeared before Herod for trial, Jesus didn’t say a word to him. Was it because Herod and his wife had been given a chance to hear from God through John, and they had thrown it away?

Our human nature screams out to get its own way. We think we know what we need and what will make us happy, but our minds are easily deceived and influenced by the world’s thinking. Our desires often conflict with what God wants for us. Sometimes he allows us to have our own way, always hoping that we will learn that he knows what’s best for us. Each time we “win” by getting our own way, we lose something precious—an opportunity to follow God’s perfect plan for our lives. As we deliberately place our will under his control each day, we won’t be so demanding about getting our own way. We’ll understand that God’s way is always best.

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth.

Psalm 86:11 (NIV)