Selah List for February 8 2010 - Half of My Kingdom
February 16th, 2010
Some months ago, I felt the Lord brought to my attention the phrase: “I will give to you up to half of my kingdom”. I ended up speaking to our local church on that phrase. This week, the same phrase came back to me, and so I decided to write this devotional on the subject.
There are two striking occasions when this phrase is used, one in the Old Testament, and one in the New. The one in the New Testament is when the daughter of Herodias dances before King Herod. Herodias is actually the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. Herod and Herodias seem to be on the same page, when it comes to disobeying the laws of God. Herodias in fact detests John the Baptist, because John was very vocal in pointing out to this couple their wrong doing.
What was, no doubt, a lewd dance, so pleases Herod that he makes this statement found in Mark 6, verse 23: “Whatever you ask me, I will give it to you, even to the half of my kingdom”. Herodias seizes the day, and tells her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist, whom she detests.
John the Baptist who carried the spirit of Elijah, and who came onto the stage of time to prepare the way of the Lord, is killed. Favour has been used wickedly to obstruct God’s purpose.
In the old testament, this same phrase is used by King Ahasuerus to Queen Esther, when she is strategically working out the plan to save the lives of all the Jews, who the wicked Haman has decided to annihilate. When Esther approaches the King, she finds favour, the sceptre is extended to her, and this phrase is used, found in Esther 5 verse 3.” What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of the kingdom”
Two very different scenarios, with two very different outcomes. One has an outcome of DEATH, and the other of LIFE.
There is an application here for us. We are living in such wonderful days of grace and favour. We too have had His sceptre outstretched to us. We are heirs and joint heirs with Jesus. We have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry out Abba. We are sons, He is our most personal Father. However, due diligence must be given to how we use the favour given to us. There is such a tendency in these days to cater to one’s own agenda, using God given kingdom authority to become famous, instead of making Him the Famous One. The body of Christ may not be guilty of actually physically beheading a prophet, but certainly, when self indulgence is promoted in the name of Jesus, the Head is in fact being decapitated. He must always be the Head of the church.
Esther used her favour for the good of her people. She knew that she could be in a precarious position, but was ready to put her own life on the line, for the freedom of others. Their wellbeing was her agenda. If we are to walk in kingdom authority, which speaks of partnership with the Lord, doing what He says, going where He is going, praying what He is praying, then our agenda will become His agenda. This agenda is for our own individual communities, Canada, and the nations of the world. You know, Herodias and her daughter may have been able to bring John the Baptist’s earthly life to an end that day, but the spirit of Elijah lives on, in and through us. If we are using our kingdom partnership with the Lord in a holy way, then we too are heralding His coming; we too are preparing even today the Way of the Lord. There are multitudes still in the valley of decision, waiting to have their death sentence lifted off. Let’s use our kingdom partnership wisely like Esther did. These are days of favour and days of grace. Let’s use our favour to see His name glorified and His kingdom to become extended.
Think on these things
Blessings on you and your household
Janet.
Entry Filed under: Pastor Janet's Selah List
Trackback this post