June 18

1 Kings 19:1-21
Acts 12:1-23
Psalm 136:1-26
Proverbs 17:14-15

New Testament: Acts 12:1-23

Summary: James Killed and Peter Imprisoned, Peter Is Rescued, The Death of Herod

Today’s reading will be from the Book of Acts 12:1-23, where it talks about the will of the Lord, the fact that it’s always wise and good, but it’s not always predictable. God spared Peter but allowed James to be killed. He did not deliver Peter from prison until the last minute. He allowed Herod to slay James, but he did not permit the king to act like a God. Is that how you would have done it?

Some Christians are like Job’s friends. They think they always know exactly what God is doing, will do, and wants done. But they may be wrong. Whenever you’re tempted to play God in somebody’s life, think again. It’s always right to pray.

Even if your faith is so weak you’re surprised when the answer comes. Keep knocking. God opens doors.

And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. ~ Acts 12:22-23

did not give glory to God. The crime for which Herod was executed by God (A.D. 44), who will eventually condemn and execute all who are guilty of this crime (Romans 1:18-23).

eaten by worms. According to Josephus, Herod endured terrible pain for five days before he died.

~ MacArthur Bible Commentary

This is a very good warning to all people living in our current moment in time. So many people that claim to be Christian don’t even know what the Bible actually says. They just give their own opinions so they can make the Bible say what they want. I beg everyone to study and know the Bible for themselves and not base their salvation on a person’s opinion. Know when people are deceiving you. Apparently, Herod did not reprove nor reject the flatterers, but tacitly took the flattery to himself, which was God’s. He was not even a Christian. This is happening in many Church pulpits today and it is very dangerous. God’s wrath is on all ungodliness fake Christians or non-Christians.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
~ Romans 1:18-23