Salome's Last Dance

By Bishop Nikolai Velimirovic

Condensed and adapted from The Prologue from Ochrid published by Lazaric Press.

Take note of how a person dies, and you will see that a person's death usually reflects their sin. Scripture says, "He who takes the sword shall perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). Every sin is a sword, and a person is usually run through by the sin he first commits.

Salome, the daughter of Herodias, who asked for, and received the head of St. John the Baptist on a platter from Herod, is an example of this.

Living in Spain, in the town of Lerida, with the exiled Herod and Herodias, one day she started to cross the frozen river Sikaris. The ice broke, and she fell into the water up to her throat. Pieces of ice held her by the throat, and she struggled, dancing with her legs in the water as she once danced in Herod's court. She could neither raise herself nor sink. In the end, a fragment of ice decapitated her. The water carried her body away, and her head was taken on a platter to Herodias, as had earlier been the head of John the Baptist. A terrible death often reflects the sin committed!

As we read in the story above, we need not worry about our oppressors. Eventually, harm will be paid for harm done. The old cliche' "What goes around, comes around" is very much real when it comes to our Father's everlasting promise.

We can read further in Psalms 37:15 of the scripture: "Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken".

In an attempt to destroy the Jews, Haman's evil plot was foiled. He constructed a gallow that stood 75 feet tall in his own courtyard. He intended to use it to hang Mordecai, the man who saved the king from assassination. Instead, the plan back fired and Haman was hanged on it. The theme in Psalms 7 is a request for justice against those who make slanderous statements. G-d is the perfect judge and will punish those who persecute the innocent. Alas, vs. 15-16 still remains a promise "[T]hey dig a pit to trap others and then fall into it themselves. They make trouble, but it backfires on them. They plan violence for others, but it falls on their own heads."

The proper response to slander is prayer, not revenge, because G-d says, "I will take vengeance, I will repay those who deserve it" (Romans 12:19; see also Deuteronomy 32:35, 36; Hebrews 10:30).

Instead of striking back, ask G-d to take your case, bring justice, and restore your reputation. When allowed to run it course, evil destroys itself. Violent people become victims of violence, and liars become victims of others' deceit (Ps 9:15, 16). But in the process, innocent people are hurt.

Sometimes G-d intervenes and stops evildoers in their tracks in order to protect his followers. At other times, for reason know only to Him, G-d allows evil to continue even though innocent people are hurt. It is during these times that we must ask G-d to protect us. Remember that G-d will execute final justice, although it may not be during our lifetime.

During a time of great evil and injustice, David was grateful that G-d was just and fair (see vs. 11). When we wonder if anyone is honest or fair, we can be assured that G-d will continue to bring justice and fairness when we involve Him in our activities. If you ever feel that you are being treated unfairly, ask the one who is always fair and just to be with you. Then thank Him for His presence (see Isaiah 43:1-6)
Above all, always remember:

Do Not Rejoice When Your Enemy Falls, And Do Not Let Your Heart Be Glad When He Stumbles Proverbs 24:17

-Kini-

Honorable Retired Police Sargeant and Attorney Randy Bowman, had tried to say that I pursued women who looked similiar to "victim Tanya". See this website of the bully that caused the suicide of Marlene Braun. He looks just like Ron Huntsinger!http://www.bullyinginstitute.org/braun/huntsinger.html