23 Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.
As I journeyed through my quiet time I walked around with Job for a few minutes this morning and observed an angel of the Lord free Peter from jail. I watched a concerned praying group of believers have to deal with the unpredictable hand of God. His arrest and release caught them by surprise. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think…and He did. I thought of William Cowper’s (pronounced “Cooper”) lyrics [I remembered the first phrase, lest you think this country boy memorized this hymn – I looked it up]
“…Sometimes a light surprises
the Christian while he sings;
it is the Lord who rises
with healing in his wings:
when comforts are declining,
he grants the soul again
a season of clear shining,
to cheer it after rain.
In holy contemplation
we sweetly then pursue
the theme of God’s salvation,
and find it ever new;
set free from present sorrow,
we cheerfully can say,
let the unknown tomorrow
bring with it what it may,… “
A church in prayer for Peter, hours before he is to be tried, chained between two guards and now the prisoner freed. Peter thought it was a vision – it was real. He rejoiced. The surprised crowd shouted and was calmed down.
Everyone was excited! Herod Agrippa wasn’t the least bit impressed. No Peter. No trial. Someone will pay for this. Collateral damage! God frees Peter. Herod kills the guards. He couldn’t find the Apostle. He was in a killer of a mood. It wasn’t long before this King in Jerusalem was believing his own stuff, dressed the part, stood up in his royal robes and was worshiped by those gathered as a god. It appeared to me that God’s ticked. He dealt with it, alright. God is so unpredictable. I was surprised. Caught off guard. It seems that a good dose of worms would be in order. Or at least that’s what is recorded. Consumed with worms! I wonder if they let him lay in the bed in that silver robe? His body looked good on the outside…rotting on the inside. What a way to die! According to one historian, it took him five days to kill over…I guess the worms ate slowly…I guess he gave even the worms indigestion. A horrible death to say the least.
I am reminded that God does not share His glory. His anointing for the day in my life is for people to see Him working through my life and give glory to God the Father. I guess it is easy to get used to the prestige of the clerical collar and if one is not careful as Yancey said …Just as I begin to slip into my seat of authority and believe the jacket copy the publishers write about me, the Teacher brings me back to earth. I am no writer, however, I am blessed to be used by God in so many ways – I am humbled at that thought. It is an honor to serve Him today. Unbelievable responsibility and accountability accompany this day’s journey. He is the Potter. I am the clay. I need to keep that in the right order.
I did not get as close to Herod as I did Peter. I was rejoicing as I watched Peter walk out of the jail. As I saw Herod’s story unfold, my steps slowed and the distance between myself and Herod deliberately increased. You could feel the arrogance as he stepped out in that silver lined robe. My liver quivered as I heard the crowd shout and worship him as god. One brought glory to God. However, the second attempted to take the glory for himself. Disrespectful little toad sitting on the Roman stool in Jerusalem representing Caesar. A big frog in a little pond. The little toad met the One who made him and owns the pond as well. It is so easy to forget Who is and who is not God. The constant voice of the enemy weaves his web well…
I realized I was reading about two men in prison – one loved by a group of Christians gathered in prayer for him as he was in an external jail chained between two guards eventually to be released by the power of God. The other loathed by many – a leader in a prison chained by the guards of pride and arrogance believing in the jacket copy the puppet writers. Peter is walking around in fellowship with his believing friends. Herod is dying alone. Beloved Peter experiences the power of God who is able to deliver. Herod meets Holy God and discovered that He alone is God. The Apostle is released. The arrogant is writhing in pain for five days prior to his death as the worms bask in a belly’s buffet. Peter is now in the presence of God…and Herod, if not saved, is in a place where the “…worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched…” Hell’s fury!
God, I guess I’ll keep my robe in the closet today. I’ll need your help. I’ll need Your help. It’s always easier to read about Herod than to take responsibility for my day. I really do want to represent you well.
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