“On an appointed day Herod dressed himself in his royal robes, sat on his throne (tribunal, rostrum) and began delivering a speech to the people. The assembled people kept shouting, “It is the voice of a god and not of a man!” And at once an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give God the glory [and instead permitted himself to be worshiped], and he was eaten by worms and died [five days later].” – Acts 12:21-23 (AMP)

Governments and thrones exist because God ordained it to be so and there is no one who rules the people that God doesn’t know for there is no power that can enthrone a man if the Lord does not permit it. Herod was a man who ruled as a king in the days of the Apostles and he must have been a good orator. The way he positioned himself, he ruled as though he enthrone himself. But he has forgotten that God did.

Anyone who is privileged to rule over God’s people must know, without doubt or pride, that he is a servant of God. This is not limited to ordained ministers of the Gospel because every man has a mandate to fulfill in the agenda of God and this makes every ruler one whom God has permitted to be on the throne. Herod behaved like Nebuchadnezzar who saw himself as the greatest King and gave the glory to himself.

Herod gave a good speech and the people began to worship him. Now, the problem was not the people’s worship but his own response. He did not give glory to God and he permitted himself to be worshipped. Then an angel of the Lord struck and he decayed alive. What a gruesome way to die.

Making efforts to or accepting people’s efforts to make you equal with God is a sure way to untimely death. Many have died physically because of this and so many have died spiritually as well, that all they depend on is what God did with them yesteryears but God no longer does anything with them again because they have allowed the people they were called to lead replace God with them.

You must make intentional efforts to check your heart and not allow pride or self rule you. Whatever position you are and whatever you do, give God all the glory, not just so that you won’t die like Herod but because you are nothing by your power and strength. God deserves all the glory. Do not be like Herod. Know how to reject the praise of men and let them know that you are God’s servant and whatever you do is by the empowerment of God.

Reflections: In what situations have I permitted myself to be worshipped by the people? Do I give glory to God always or have I allowed pride rule my heart?

Confession: I am of a broken and contrite heart. I am humble and give God all the glory always. My life fully represents God, not replace him in anyway.

Related Scripture: Acts 12

Bible Reading: Genesis 22