Luke the physician wrote how, “Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man”, and in chapter twelve and verse twenty-two of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “immediately the angel of the Lord smote him” where we read:
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory:
and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
The verse begins, “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory:” Luke began with the words, “and immediately” which means “and straightway and forthwith” “the angel of the Lord” or “the messenger or envoy belonging to the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has the power of deciding, master; and the title given to God the Messiah” “smote him” which means “struck, afflicted and cut down Herod”, “because he gave not God” or “since and on account that Herod in no way granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “the glory” which means “the honor, dignity, praise and worship”. Luke shared how God's “angel” struck “Herod” because he did not “honor, worship or credit” God for his words.
The verse goes on to say, “and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.” Luke continued with the words, “and he was eaten of worms” which means “and Herod was worm-eaten and diseased with maggots”, “and gave up the ghost” or “and expired, breathed his last and yielded up his spirit”. Luke shared how “Herod” became “diseased with maggots or worms” and died.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we see the result of “Herod” taking credit for his speech to the people. Rather than give “glory” to God, Herod decided his words were attributed to his own making. God give gifts unto people, and nothing can be done without Him. God is to receive the honor, glory, credit and worship for the enablements of mankind, and when they take credit for themselves, they act like “Herod”. God forbid that any who are reading these words give “glory” to themselves for God-given gifts, and may they yield themselves to God's Son Jesus who is able to forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and give them gifts to be used and employed in His Kingdom. All glory be to Christ Jesus who is “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Luke shares how, “the word of God grew”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment