REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 27, 2016, is provided by Pastor Jason Sato who, along with his wife Jessica and three young children, serves in Japan as an AMI missionary. Jason, a graduate of UC San Diego (BS) and Westminster Theological Seminary (M.Div.), moved to Tokyo in 2022 where he plans to, the Lord willing, plant a church.
Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend
“Who Gets the Glory in Your Life?”
Acts 12:20-24 (ESV)
Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. [21] On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. [22] And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” [23] 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. [24] But the word of God increased and multiplied.
In our passage this morning, Herod, a persecutor of the church, is judged by God. The people flatter him in a blasphemous way, he receives the glory due to God, and he is subsequently struck down.
Herod’s desire for and enjoyment of glory is not unique. The desire for glory has been the source of conflict with God from the very beginning. Satan was not satisfied by simply reflecting the glory of God; he wanted to take God’s place. Adam and Eve were tempted by the prospect of becoming like God.
Glory is something like fame. Of course, we understand that God deserves His glory (or fame), but we would not mind if we got some for ourselves too. Perhaps we don’t want to be famous in a TMZ celebrity kind of way, but we would like others to speak well of us and for the right people to know how wonderful or talented we are.
Even in ministry, we are not free from this temptation. I am a pastor, and I am committed to spreading the fame of God to the whole world, yet I also want people to recognize my gifts and my competence.
Thankfully, there will be a day when you and I will be free from this desire for self-glory, and we will be blessed to wholeheartedly give God everything He deserves. All of human history is marching forward to the day when Jesus will get all the glory.
May our Risen King receive the reward of His death and resurrection! “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:8-11)
Prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are the One True God and You deserve all the glory! I hate my sin and long to be free of all my self-love so that I may give You my whole heart, soul, and mind. Maranatha—come Lord Jesus—and take Your rightful place as King! Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Nehemiah 7