Topic: Pride/Humility

[cmc]

You are reading the daily devotion from Notreligion.

Who Gets the Glory?
May 9, 2007
Key Passage: Acts 12:20-25

On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!" 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. (Acts 12:21-23, ESV)

For those of us who are used to an "all love, no judgment" God-of-the-New Testament concept, this story is packed with Old Testament-style divine justice smack-down!

A king sits on his royal chair and delivers a speech. The people listening to him begin to praise him as a god, not merely a man. The king, clearly pleased by this, does not correct them.

And the result: an angel struck his body so it was afflicted with "worms." According to the Jewish historian, Josephus, Herod died five days later. All because the king did not give God the credit.

So, what can we learn from this story?

First, God doesn't like it when people take the credit He deserves.

Second, sin has its consequences. Even though the consequences don't always come as quickly as the king's did, they will come.

Last, this story is a good reminder that everything we have--money, talents, life--comes from God. As a result, we should always be quick to give God the credit for anything good in our lives.


© 2008 NotReligion

[Lily]

Very good reminder post! thanks CMC!