Search me O God at Christmastime - day 15 - holiday haiku

Welcome to day 15 of our Holiday Haiku Challenge Today our challenge is to pen a haiku inspired by Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

(Psalm 139:23-24)

A Heart Like His by Katie M. Reid

Matthew 2:1-4 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’ When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.”

About a month ago I learned something new about Herod through our Precept bible study on Matthew. “Herod was an Edomite who bore the title, ‘King of the Jews.’ Edomites were descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob” (pg. 11, Precept Ministries International, Matthew Part 1, Lesson 1).

Remember how Esau gave up his birthright to Jacob for some stew? (See Genesis 25:29-34 and Genesis 27). Esau forfeited his future position for a here-today-gone-tomorrow portion. So, since Herod was an Edomite, he did not have the same royal security as King David’s line did—the line of blessing from which Jacob came.

Psalm 89:3-4 “You said, ‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’”

The news of the Messiah’s birth was a major threat to Herod’s comfort and crown.

When Herod, the current King of the Jews, heard from the Magi that another had been born King of the Jews, he was disturbed. His insecurity rose and turned to contempt as his high position was threatened.

In Herod’s fury, using his current authority, he killed.

Matthew 2:16 “When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.”

I don’t want a heart like Herod’s.

When I compare or feel threatened by others I want to quickly exchange my hardened heart with the knowledge of my royal position— found in Christ. When I let envy rule, I lose footing on the platform that I’ve constructed in the kingdom of self.

My security topples when I try to reign in areas that aren’t rightfully mine. My anger surges as I view others as a threat instead of a treasure.

No, I don't want a heart like Herod's... I want a heart like His.

He is the One that wise men came to worship. The One sent to save us from hard hearts of sin. The One wrapped in swaddling clothes then stripped and whipped on our behalf—that we could unwrap His grace through ripped flesh.

Jesus, Messiah—worthy of honor, glory and power (see Revelation 4:11).

I want to be a wise woman who passes by the here-today-gone-tomorrow portions, and positions herself in worship at the feet of the King of Kings.

With Grace, Katie

Katie M. Reid is a tightly wound woman, of the recovering perfectionist variety, who fumbles to receive and extend grace in everyday moments. She delights in her hubby, four children (and one on the way) and their life in ministry. Through her writing, singing, speaking and photography she encourages others to find grace in the unraveling of life.

Katie is a contributing writer for God-sized Dreams, iBelieve and Purposeful Faith.

Connect with Katie at katiemreid.com and on Twitter and Facebook.