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A Contrast In Attitudes

In Acts 12:20-23, we read of King Herod delivering an oration to an audience eager to win his favor. He reveled in their flattering response:

“The voice of a god and not of a man!” (Acts 12:22 – NKJV).

For his failure to “give glory to God,” he was immediately struck by an angel of the Lord. He suffered an excruciating death because of his irreverent attitude toward God (Acts 12:23 – NKJV).

In contrast, Paul and Barnabas had such a great reverence for God, that the mere thought of being worshipped, was foreign to them (Acts 14:14-15). Upon seeing the apostle Paul miraculously heal a man who had been crippled from birth (Acts 14:8-10), the onlookers shouted:

“The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” (Acts 14:11 – NKJV).

Then they prepared to offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:12-13). When the apostles heard this, they “tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things?” (Acts 14:14-15 – NKJV). Their attitude was one of awe, respect, and humble submission before a sovereign God.

In these two accounts, we see two contrasting attitudes toward God. We see a solemn call to give God reverence in our irreverent world. He is the only one who merits our worship “” He only is worthy of glory, praise, and honor (Revelation 5:13-14 – NKJV).