Scripture Reading: Acts 12:1-25, Daniel 3:28-30, Ephesians 6:19-20
Herod’s death is one of those Bible stories that the little boys in Sunday school love to talk about. A greedy, self-consumed king who attacked the followers of Jesus got eaten by worms. Worms, of all things. Can you imagine? But if we just chalk this story up to being gross and weird, we’re missing the point.
In Acts, we see how the followers of Jesus endured persecution and hatred from the world, just as Jesus said. In chapter 12, Herod imprisoned Peter, intending to kill him, simply because he saw it pleased the Jewish people (Acts 12:3). Yet despite Herod’s evil intentions, God’s plans prevailed.
But the word of God spread and multiplied.
—Acts 12:24
Herod’s earthly power and influence were nothing compared to the powerful prayers of God’s people (v.5). We see this when, despite being kept under heavy watch, Peter was suddenly rescued by an angel.
Rhoda, a servant, was so amazed to hear Peter’s voice at the gate of the house where the church was gathering that she could barely even think of doing the next thing! So she ran into the house, where everyone else told her she was out of her mind. But she knew what she heard. Meanwhile, everyone else had to see to believe (v.16).
In this story we see different responses to the work of God. Rhoda, a lowly servant, gave witness to a miracle. Herod, a royal king, was consumed with his reputation and power and struck dead for not giving glory to God. He wanted all the glory for himself and was willing to do whatever it took to get it.
Maybe the Lord wants to remind us through this passage that glory and honor look different in the kingdom. Here on earth, those who work hard and know the right people often get an honored place and position. In the kingdom of God, position and power do not equal glory. I don’t know about you, but that’s a reminder I need again and again and again.
Lord, make us willing vessels today, not for our good, but for Your glory. Help us to focus more on what You’re doing than receiving places of honor. Remind us that You have not called us to be impressive; You’ve called us to be available as witnesses to Your work. May Your Word and Your truth flourish and multiply through us. Amen.
Written by Abby Flynn
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One thought on "Peter Rescued by an Angel"
I got so excited about the title as I remembered my visit from an angel!
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Then, as I read on, and ABBY talked about giving God the glory, I was reminded of my granddaughter, the baker, and the day she called me to come and help her make a cake for an uncle who wasn’t well.
Sweet girl.
When I arrived at the house, she had already set up all she needed to make the cake. I asked which she wanted to make, she said, let me see, and proceeded to open her trusted IPad. She chose one and I was asked to read out the ingredients and quantities..
8 oz of butter, the whole block went in, I said that was too much, she said.”it will be alright”
8 oz of flour, she went over the amount, I mentioned this to the response, “it will be alright.”
8 oz of sugar, she poured and again poured far too much into the bowl, I was now beginning to get cross, because her response when I mentioned it was, you guessed it, “it will be alright” !
By the time we reached the last ingredients, I was exhausted, I told her parents I could not go on as she was not listening to me when I suggested she cut the butter into little pieces so it would mix better, she said, “it will be alright,” as the block of butter banged against the side of the mixer making a thumping noise as it did..
Long story short. Cake was mixed, baked and delivered to the recipient. I called later on to find out how it turned out, and was told the recipient said it was the best cake ever, and definitely much better than his wifes.
I then asked why she had bothered asking me to come and help if she was not going to listen to me.
My good hearted, beautiful, self sufficient granddaughter, replied.
” I couldn’t let you help me because if you did I would have to share the glory and I wanted it all! ”
What could I say!!
Seriously, out of the mouths of babes!!
By the way, she was probably aged 8/9!
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BUT GOD..
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Thankfully, grows us to a place where we understand that actually, it is not always about human glory, and that we do not need to do things for gain or recognition, but from the heart and for HIS glory.
We can chase glory, all we want but, it will never be enough because we can never reach the true meaning of glory! There is only One that can and has and will always be glorified.
The hymn, Thine be the glory, comes to mind..
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Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son;
endless is the victory, thou o’er death hast won;
angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
kept the folded grave clothes where thy body lay.
Refrain:
Thine be the glory, risen conquering Son,
Endless is the vict’ry, thou o’er death hast won.
Lo! Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
let the Church with gladness, hymns of triumph sing;
for her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting.
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No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life;
life is naught without thee; aid us in our strife;
make us more than conquerors, through thy deathless love:
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above.
Thine be the glory… Always. Amen.
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Lord, make me a willing vessel today.. For YOUR glory..
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Amen.
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Happy Thursday, my peeps, covered in much love and hugs..❤