On an appointed day.

Acts 12:21-24, On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. But the word of God increased and multiplied.

Herod’s day came sooner than he expected, for he suddenly found that his power was of little use to that of the angel that struck him and the worms that ate him. He viewed the good news of Jesus Christ as do many today: folly. To think that the One who created all things would become a weak, unlovely creature within his own creation and be subjected to the horrors of crucifixion, makes no earthly sense. Yet in it is the great wisdom of God, in providing the satisfaction of divine justice in Himself a perfect sacrifice that makes forgiveness possible to all who will believe in Him and receive His great gift! The word of God has increased and multiplied in the face of many such tyrants, and the great wisdom of God in Christ will triumph over the folly of this world!

We thank You Jesus, that You who had no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God!

ESV Lectionary