PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 12:19-24
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down.” (Acts 12:23)
I find this comment by Luke interesting, and a bit perplexing.
Certainly Herod is not the only leader guilty of not giving praise to God?
This is obviously not the only reason that Herod was struck down.
He was guilty of having James killed and Peter arrested… why not then?
I read this statement broadly, as a general description of Herod.
This specific moment was only the tip of the iceberg; Herod was a bad man.
He had no interest in God, and preferred to play God over others and the world.
History is filled with examples of people who did this for a while, then crashed.
Their crash is God giving them up, letting them go, letting them have their way.
They become victims of their own folly, reaping the consequences of their own sin.
We will all face our appointment with death one day, but will we have God with us?
We will all be worm food one day, but only those who refused God will stay dead.
We are all human, not God; but if we cling to God, God will restore us to life.
Jesus gives us life with God, but if we don’t want God, he will give us life without God.
PRAYER
Lord, life without God does not work. We are worm food without God’s love, God’s life, God’s help. Thank you for reconnecting me to God!
Pride is something I have to continually monitor. I kick myself sometimes when I start to get proud of something whatever it is. Is it a need for recognition? Is it not enough that Jesus loves me and has seen fit to give me the gift of the HS – that he has taken me to places and situations that I could never do on my own. I know I need to give the praise to God. I see Herod’s mistake: “Herod did not give praise to God”. Lord, may I continue to be your servant – inspired and doing your will – even when I’m retired or on vacation – even then! Especially with informal church – among people who do not know you! Help me to be the right kind of blessing. I don’t know how, but I do know that you can guide and enable me! Let me pride be in seeing what you accomplish in spite of myself!
The word of the Lord comes to the people, even to the rulers of the land, but they do not listen. They go after their own ways thinking that they are in charge, acting as a god.
No God = no life
know God = true life
Life without the Lord are like dead men walking. True living is living in His presence obeying His word, not living for self but for Him Who created me.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey