July 11 Daily Devotional

Pride Comes Before Destruction

Peter G. Feenstra

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

Bible Reading

Acts 12:19b–24

Devotional

One of the great follies of our human hearts is to be filled with a sense of self-importance. Pride stands in the way of us becoming the person God calls us to be. The book of Proverbs warns us repeatedly to be aware of the destructiveness of pride. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Pride ruins relationships with God and with others. It is a horrible vice. Pride has disdain for others and does not care if others are hurt. A person whose heart is filled with pride flaunts his own (inflated) ability while, at the same time, knocking down the accomplishments of others. He seeks attention and honour. Pride looks away from God and His majesty and instead exalts one’s own position in life.

The death of King Herod is a vivid illustration of how the Lord has no tolerance for pride. Herod arrogantly opposes the work of God for his own selfish gain. This man is dripping with pride. Herod accepts the worship of the Phoenician countrymen. Immediately, the judgment of God strikes this proud man with a dishonourable death. Acts 12:20-24 shows us what happens when the Lord does not remove the pride that fills our hearts. The only hope for pride-filled sinners is Jesus Christ who humbled Himself and laid aside His godly glory. The Word of the Lord exposes the pride of Herod and convicts others as well. For we cannot look into the mirror of God’s Word or gaze upon the revelation of God’s Son without being arrested by our own pride. The gospel of the cross puts an end to our pride.

The narrative concerning Herod ends with an amazing statement. Herod is eaten up by worms but the word of God grows and multiplies. Herod clung to his pride and faced eternal judgment, but the word of the cross of Christ brings people off their high horses and down to their knees in homage of Christ. Sinful human pride will not stop Christ’s work. Every chapter of church history shows how His word grows and multiplies. This is the clear strategy of the Son of God. All those who exalt themselves in pride will be brought low. The humility of the cross crushes our pride, and is the answer to all human pride.

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