On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.” Matthew 14:6-21 NIV
Loving Father,
Reading about John the Baptist reminds me that life is fragile, sometimes dangerous and You God do not promise us so many years or an easy life. But You do promise to be with us and that death is not the end. You are the resurrection and the life (John 11:25) and we will live even though we die. It is as the Psalmist says the shadow of death that passes over us (Psalm 23). Jesus took the full brunt of death and conquered it for us (Revelation 12:11). But that does not make the concept of death easier! Father is it weak of me to say I am grateful that You placed me in a safe country? There are those that have no choice about persecution for their faith. People still die for loving You. Some of us suffer more heartache than others.
Jesus was told about John’s death and went to have a time with You but was immediately inundated by the needs of those seeking to hear Him and the needs of his disciples to cope. It does seem that grief and trouble do not respect our feelings. So we need to be able to turn to You when we are weak and bowed down with life.
No one said it would be easy. Jesus said we had to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24-26). But then He also told us to come to Him when we are weary and carry heavy burdens and He would give us rest. Take HIs yoke upon us, let Him teach us because He is humble and gentle at heart, and we will find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-29). There are unanswered question but You will answer prayers and help us through whatever comes if we learn to trust.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 1st November 2025
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
Chorus
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
Chorus twice
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
Chorus twice
Lyrics: Horatio G Spafford