Acts 12: 20-25

20 He [Herod] had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king's country for their food supply.
21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a mere mortal." 23 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.
24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread.
25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.

Questions to consider:

• How does this passage add to what you learned yesterday about angels?
• When you are in a position of leadership, how can you give God the glory? How important does God consider this?
• Even though God permits Herod to do much that is harmful, what is the final outcome concerning the word of God?
• Does God still rule the lives of authorities? Does this affect your prayers?

Possibilities for prayer:

It’s important to acknowledge the one who's ultimately responsible for the successes in our lives: God. Herod became very full of himself and definitely paid a steep price (can you imagine being eaten to death by worms?). Let’s take some time today to acknowledge God as the one responsible for the good things in our lives, for giving us the gifts, talents, and opportunities to get to where we are and to have become the people we are. It is good to give Him thanks and praise.