Check out all the previous Acts readings here.

Acts Reading Plan | Week 10 | Day 2

Prayer

As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Rejoice. Pray. Thank. As you begin your time with Jesus, use these prompts as a prayer. “Lord Jesus, I rejoice that you… I pray that you … and I thank you for… “

Bible Reading: Acts 12:19-25

Read these verses three times slowly.

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.

On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Reflection & Questions

Herod was a brutal leader. We’ve how read how he had James executed as well as the prison guards who were supposed to be watching Peter. Fresh off that power trip, now he has a meeting with the people of Tyre and Sidon who were dependent on his resources for food. In Herod’s mind, it was one of his most shining moments. The people of Tyre and Sidon are begging for peace and help. He was wearing his royal best, sat upon his throne, and waxed lyrical to his audience. The people (under duress or because they are genuinely impressed) say, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.”

This pleased him to no end, but God had had enough of this proud and brutal man. “Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” Herod had reached what he saw as the pinnacle, but in an instant he was gone.

While we might not have the kind of power to trip on like Herod, if we’re not careful, the same prideful tendencies can creep in. The problem with this pride is that it does not give credit where credit is due. We think we have earned what we have; we think much of ourselves. However, it was Someone else who gave us our breath, our bodies, our lives, our gifts, our talents, our minds, our hearts, the earth we walk upon, and the sun we look up at. That was Herod’s problem. He “did not give praise to God.” Let’s give credit where credit is due. All glory to God!

1. Do you have a grateful or proud heart? How do you know?
2. To praise God means to give credit to Him before others. What are ways you can praise God before others?

Prayer

Talk to God in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?