Thinking too highly of ourselves will always get us into trouble. In our fallen nature, we want to be God. This passage stresses the need to humble ourselves before God. The crowd gathered before Herod and declared him to be a god. We must not try to be God and make sure we give all glory to God. Herod learned this lesson the hard way. He doesn’t give God the glory and faces God’s judgment as a result.

After Herod’s death, Luke reports that the word of God continued to increase and multiply! Notice the complete reversal of the church’s situation. At the beginning of this chapter, Herod is persecuting church leaders; at the end, he is judged and dies. The chapter opens with James dead, Peter in prison, and Herod in charge; it closes with Herod dead, Peter free, and the word of God triumphing!

That’s the God we serve. Let’s learn to give him the Glory and watch his Kingdom triumph!

[Acts 12.20-25]

12.20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. 24 But the word of God increased and multiplied. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Who was Herod angry with?

+ Who was Blastus?

+ What were the people asking for?

+ Who struck Herod down?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?