7 February 2013 - monolith

7 February 2013 - monolith

Today we see a contrast between two kings, David, a man after the LORD's own heart, and Herod.

David's life and reign are successful because he trusts in God.

Since he called upon the Most High God,
who gave strength to his right arm
To defeat the skilled warrior
and raise up the might of his people,

Herod, on the other hand, relies on himself.  He is therefore susceptible to all sorts of external influences.  From this perspective he encounters John and "was very much perplexed yet he liked to listen to him."  Yet this desire is just one in a person with no unifying principle.  This is why he makes a promise he will quickly regret:

The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”

His enjoyment of this entertainment shouldn't sway him this much.  John's words could be foundational for him and offer him the path to repentance.  But he allows them to be just a few among the many words he hears.  He doesn't allow them to have power.  His desires run in many directions, subjecting him not just to his own whims but to those of others as well.

I want you to give me at once on a platter
the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.

Look what happens.  He is subject to his own bad promises.  He can't help but care how he looks in the eyes of others.

David, while he has his faults, still finds his strength in the LORD.  The LORD is central to him.  He is the principle by which the rest of life is organized, even the seasons of the year.

With his every deed he offered thanks
to God Most High, in words of praise.
With his whole being he loved his Maker
and daily had his praises sung
He set singers before the altar and by their voices
he made sweet melodies,
He added beauty to the feasts
and solemnized the seasons of each year
So that when the Holy Name was praised,
before daybreak the sanctuary would resound.

And when he fails to thus organize his life God is the source of repentance and renewed unity.

The LORD forgave him his sins
and exalted his strength forever;

This is one thing that it means to have the LORD as our "Rock".

The LORD live! And blessed be my Rock!

He is solid, a unity, not subject to the dissipation of meaningless desires.  He is our alternative to the spending our inheritence on dissipation as does the prodigal son.  God is the only source of life.  The world has nothing to offer. 

You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed,
to David and his posterity forever.