“So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died…” — Acts 12:21-23 (NKJV)
One thing I have learned in life is that power can intoxicate people. Even the most respectful person can become consumed by authority. This was the case with King Herod. As our opening scripture recounts, he was exalted by the people, who declared that his words were not those of a mere man but of a god. Instead of correcting them and giving glory to the true God, he basked in their praise. His pride cost him dearly—an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he died, not as a god, but as a mere man.
Beloved, we must be careful never to take the place of God or seek glory that belongs to Him alone. As Christians, it is our sacred duty to acknowledge the Almighty in all we do. No matter how much power, wealth, or influence we attain, our praise should always go to God, the true source of all blessings. The Bible warns that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Jesus emphasized this truth in the parable of the rich man:
“The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’” — Luke 12:16-20 (NKJV)
The rich man made a grave mistake—he gloried in himself instead of acknowledging God as the source of his abundance. His failure to give thanks led to his downfall. This parable serves as a lesson for us all: wealth and power should never consume us or make us forget God. When we remain humble and give Him the glory, we position ourselves for a long life filled with lasting prosperity. Hallelujah!
Today’s Rhema
Do not let power or wealth rule or intoxicate you, for God is the giver, and all glory belongs to Him!
Confession for the Day
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me access to all things and for the ability to create wealth. I acknowledge that all I have is not by my power, but by Your grace. I declare that everything I possess belongs to You, and I give You all the glory. In the name of Jesus, Amen!
