(Audio)
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
Scripture reminds us that curiosity is not enough. If we allow ourselves to be sated simply because of novelty or accumulations of facts our hearts remain unchanged. When we need to act with courage that comes from faith we will instead find ourselves frozen. We will be like Herod, unable to stop himself from calling for the death of John the Baptist. We will be like Pilate, unable to prevent the death of Jesus even though he found no guilt in him.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (see James 1:22).
How does James recommend we become doers of the word? He tells us to "receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls." We might think that listening and taking action are separate. Given the curiosity is not enough what is missing but our own effort? But this isn't quite right. What is missing is a deeper hearing of the word than curiosity affords. It is when the word is planted in this good soil that it bears fruit.
David was a hearer and a doer of the word. He secret was to rely on the Spirit who rushed upon him since he was anointed king. It was precisely when he placed his trust in God that his own rule was blessed.
Since he called upon the Most High God,
who gave strength to his right arm
David and Herod were very different sorts of kings. Herod delighted himself in the dances of women to the point where he was willing to give away his kingdom. David delighted himself in the LORD who in turn gave him the desires of his heart (see Psalm 37:4)
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;
From David we learn to receive deeply the word that the LORD speaks to us. We learn to make that word our delight. Rather than the cautionary tale of Herod we learn we true fulfillment and true joy is found.
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