Do not Attempt to Take God's Glory

Baptist Daily Devotional
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Rev. Tse Amable | July 17 2025 | Acts 12:19-24

KEY VERSE: “They shouted, 'THIS IS THE VOICE OF A GOD, NOT OF A MAN.' Immediately, BECAUSE HEROD DID NOT GIVE PRAISE TO GOD, AN ANGEL OF THE LORD STRUCK HIM DOWN, AND HE WAS EATEN BY WORMS AND DIED" Acts 12:22-23 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

If there is any one thing Jehovah has vowed not to share with another person, IT IS HIS GLORY AND HONOUR. He spoke prophetically to the nation of Israel, “I am the LORD; that is my name! I WILL NOT GIVE MY GLORY TO ANOTHER OR MY PRAISE TO IDOLS” Isaiah 42:8 (NIV). Anybody, therefore, who attempts to take God’s glory or to share it with him is only inviting the swift wrath of the Lord for himself. King Nebuchadnezzar tried to do it and was punished (see Daniel 4:28-33). This is what happened to Herod also. The Bible says he died because “HE GAVE NOT GOD THE GLORY” (KJV). He attempted to rob the Lord of his glory.

The only person who is truly deserving of our worship and glory is Jesus Christ. To him alone must every glory be ascribed. When Satan tempted Jesus Christ to bow down and worship him (Satan), the Lord refused to yield to that temptation, saying, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY' Matthew 4:10 (NIV). That does not mean we should not give “RESPECT TO WHOM RESPECT IS DUE, AND HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE” (Romans 13:7).

Whatever your status in society (Pastor, Bishop, President, king, queen, member of parliament, CEO, etc.), never accept the worship of people. Do not covet the Lord’s glory. He will not hesitate to punish you. Instead, give to the Lord all the glory due to his name and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (see Psalms 29:2).

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Do a check of your heart: do you see any desire in your heart for glory that is the preserve of God? Do you have an unusual love for the praise of people? Work hard to kill that desire before it leads to your destruction. Do not feed the lust for the pride of life, and do not seek vain glory.

PRAYER:

Search me, O God, and know my heart today. Please get rid of the pride that will lead to my downfall. Please help me choose to walk in humility before you and others at all times, especially in moments of success, promotion, elevation, and prosperity. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 198: 1 Kings 9 - God’s Promise and Solomon’s Achievements

DAILY word study: VOICE The word voice in Acts 12:22 comes from the Greek “phōnē”, which means sound, tone, or utterance. It can refer to a spoken voice, a noise, or even a supernatural sound. In Acts 12, the people shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man!” Their loud acclaim wasn’t just noise - it was false worship. Their phōnē carried idolatry, and Herod received it without protest.

The Bible often speaks of God’s voice (phōnē theou) as majestic, powerful, and true (Psalm 29). When the wrong voice is exalted, it distorts truth and misleads hearts. Always test the voices you hear—and never accept a voice that replaces God’s. Let your own voice give Him praise.

Reflect on this:

What voices do you allow to shape your values and decisions? Let every word you receive or speak draw you closer to God, not away from Him.