READING: Acts 12:6-14:20
Pride is powerful. It ever seeks to attach itself to our soul, even when we know better than to let it come to rest in us. In a striking way, it lifts us up and eats out the inside of our heart at the same time—yet we’re all susceptible to it.
In today’s reading, King Herod fell prey to it. The people said he spoke as a god, and nothing in the text tells us that he denied their claim. What we do know is that he did not give any glory to the true God, and that choice cost him his life. Pride led to his destruction.
Also in today’s reading, though, is the story of Paul and Barnabas. Paul had healed a man lame from his birth, and the people quickly declared that the apostle and his colleague were gods. Even the priest of the temple of Zeus prepared sacrifices for them. With crowds praising them and the priest honoring them, surely Paul and Barnabas fought the temptations of arrogance and power.
Pride lurked at the door—except that they remembered what you and I sometimes need to remember: there is only one God, and we are not He.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you ever live as if you’re the God who gets to set the rules?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, forgive me when I think I’m something.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Acts 14:21-28, Galatians 1:1-3:23