Giving God the Glory

Herod's Death

Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured 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.   Acts 12:19b–23 NIV

This is a terrifying story about how God views His glory being received by mortals. 

Well, Herod was fighting with the people of Tyre and Sidon.   Their food supplies were about to be shut off completely.  They had to make peace with him some way so their people could have food and not die.   The names Tyre and Sidon were famous in the ancient Near East. Both towns are now located in Lebanon, with Tyre 20 mi south of Sidon and only 12 mi north of the Israel-Lebanon border. Today each is just a shadow of their former selves.

So the people of Tyre and Sidon got the support of Blastus, a trusted servant of the king.  So Blastus was able to get an audience with the king for the people of Tyre and Sidon. 

The day finally arrived for the people and king Herod to meet.  We see Herod in his royal robes sitting and giving a great speech to the folks at his feet.  Maybe he promised to fill every pot with a chicken and every oven will have bread baking in it from now on.  Whatever he said it must have been impressive.  The people became excited and shouted, “This is the voice of a god and not a man.” 

The Bible says   “Immediately”    Not 5 minutes from now.  Not the next day.  But Immediately an angel of the Lord struck Herod down and he was eaten by worms and he died. 

Oh my goodness!!!  Can you see that picture?  One minute Herod is sitting there giving a speech.  His hands are raised in the air and he is telling the people what they want to hear.  They begin to shout and tell him speaks as a god.  This is exactly what he wants to hear. 

The angel of the Lord came and struck him down.  Right there in front of all the people.  All of his flesh was consumed by worms and he died right there in his royal robes. 

Why? You ask.  It was because Herod did not give God the glory.  He took the people’s glory for himself. 

Our God is a jealous God.  He does not suffer prideful men.  Other prideful men have not died by worms but they have died strange and terrible deaths.  When one chooses to do as Satan did in Heaven and challenge God’s authority and take His glory for themselves, then look out…….    

Folks, we do not live by our own power.  We only are here by the graciousness and mercy of God.  He is the only one who has the power to make us live and breathe and move here on this earth. 

He must receive all of the Glory for everything in Heaven and on earth.  He is the one who gives sunshine and rain so we have food to eat and survive.  He gives clean air for us to breathe.  He gives material to make our clothes.  He gives relationships for our edification.

He gave His Son for our salvation from sin past, present and future.  He gave the pathway to Heaven.  Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6 NIV

Psalm 18:3 (NLT) ³ I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.

          Please be careful to give God glory and praise and honor.