Give God the Glory

Reflections on Chapters 12-14 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

Years ago, I had a grandparent chargingly ask me if it was OK for her to be proud of her granddaughter, because she had been taught, “Pride goeth before the fall.”  I assured her that being proud of her grandchild was not a sin when the feeling was offered in thanksgiving of the accomplishment and not boosting up one’s own ego. “Look at what I have done,” has been the down fall of many people because they neglect or forget those that helped them achieve their goals.

The Book of Acts shares story after story of the importance of acknowledging that all power and might comes from God, to whom we should offer our thanks and praise.  When our egos take over and we congratulate only ourselves for what we have done, we become idolatrous.

Chapter 12 records an terrible story of King Herod’s response to the apostles.  He outright kills James and then arrests Peter, who is guarded by over 30 men. Yet, despite Herod’s ridiculous show of strength and power, Peter escapes with the help of an angel.  Peter believed he is having a dream until he “came to himself” and realized he had been delivered by the power of God.  He goes to share this good news with some of the believers, who don’t even believe it themselves until they see Peter standing at the gate. 

As expected, in his anger, Herod kills all who he feels are responsible for Peter’s escape.  He then goes to the people of Tyre and Sidon, who credit Herod for supplying them with food.  Herod arrogantly accepts all this praise and accepts their accolades of “The voice of a god and not of a mortal.”  And we are told that since Herod, “had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”  In some ways this story is very satisfying as Herod “gets what he deserves.”  I also always hope for reconciliation and transformation, but it was the Lord’s decision to judge Herod and he was found wanting.  Unlike Peter, who knew where the power comes from, Herod refused to acknowledge his own dependence on God and paid with his life. 

Chapters 13 and 14 follow Barnabas and Saul, now called Paul, on their first missionary trip.  They develop a pattern of going into synagogues and sharing the story of Jesus Chris with those gathered.  The response is usually very positive, at first, until those with power become jealous of the response as they realize their power and influence is threatened by these newcomers.  And so those that are threatened use their power to discredit Paul and Barnabas, so they move onto the next town, where it happens again.  In the city of Lystra (in modern day Turkey), after healing a lame man, the Gentiles begin to worship Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes, which the apostles immediately denounce and proclaim their mortality.  They point to the living God, whom they worship as the source of their power, not from themselves.  Sadly, those who feel threatened by their message follow them to Lystra and stone Paul practically to death.  He is able to recover and continue on his mission, especially to the Gentiles, who seem more willing to give the one, true God the glory.

My grandfather hated when sports figures offered their brief testimonies during interviews by starting, “To God be the glory.”  I felt his annoyance unfounded and admired the willingness of these modern-day idols to remember that their gifts and talents, which they spend years honing, came from God and God deserves the credit.  How can we, in our lives, remember to give God credit?  

We do this in worship and prayer, and whenever we remember to turn to God in bad times and good, giving thanks for all that has been done for us and through us.  God needs us to offer our gifts and talents in order for God’s realm to be established on earth. But it is not for our own glory.  Once we claim that power, all is corrupted, as we have seen many times throughout history. 

I can only hope and pray that someday we will learn our lesson and give God the Glory, always and in all ways.

With Easter Joy,

Rev. Valerie+