Herod was being paid homage by a group of people who felt in need of his favor--he had the political power to do them harm. In this culture, this type of expression--"worshiping" political figures was typical... I get the feeling they didn't really mean it... it was more of a "lip service."
Herod was Jewish... he knew better than to receive such homage. He knows what the commandments say about this sort of thing. He did not refuse the praises of the people and his punishment was immediate!
There are times, I open my mouth and am shocked at what comes out of me. Or the times I passively receive credit for something that I do not deserve. And the shame that comes over me when the spirit of the Lord finally convicts me. But I am so thankful that the Mercies of God gives me time to repent...
I deserve to die like Herod many times over, but the Blood of Jesus covers me and God sees the righteousness of His son and not my sins... what Grace!!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
thanks helen for such a moving and honest reflection. we are always amazed and fearful when God's judgment actually strikes a person, so accustomed are we to not being "treated as our sins deserve". the axe will fall eventually, we should make no mistake about that, but you are right to say that God in His mercy gives us time to repent. His apparent "delay" in not punishing us as we deserve is simply that: one more chance to repent.
Thanks helen :)
I definitely agree that we deserve death over and over again for the we treat God and live our lives. Thank goodness for His Grace and Mercies that are new every morning.
Post a Comment