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| God's Word Increases and Multiplies |
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No person, thing or power can triumph over the Word of God. It can grow and multiply in your life to a point where you will not be shaken no matter what happens around you.
Acts chapter twelve begins and ends with King Herod Agrippa I, the grandson of the King Herod who was in power at Jesus’ birth. Herod Agrippa I looked for opportunities to gain favor with the orthodox Jews who lived under the Old Testament Law and the traditions of man. At the beginning of the chapter he kills the Apostle James and arrests the Apostle Peter. After Peter’s miraculous deliverance from prison by God, Herod left Judea and went to Caesarea.
Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king's country for food. 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. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
(Acts 12:20-25 ESV)
We are not told why Herod was upset with the people of Tyre and Sidon, but it was important for the survival of the people to make peace with him. These cities were dependent upon Palestine for food and it was a time of famine as Barnabus and Saul were in Jerusalem bringing famine relief from Antioch (Acts 11:27-30). So here we see the people making friends with the king’s chamberlain, who was a trusted personnel assistant to Herod, in order to gain Herod’s favor.
The historian Josephus records that the royal robes that Herod wore on the day of his oracle to the people were made of silver that sparkled brightly in the sun. As he spoke and glistened they gave him praise, but his reaction to the praise is in total contrast to Peter’s instantaneous rejection of praise from people when he entered the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:25-26).
Beloved, all of our possessions, talents and abilities are gifts of God’s grace. How we react to the praise of people depends upon the condition of our heart. Herod absorbed the praise and did not point people to the One True God. Peter, at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10), reflected the praise and pointed people’s attention to God. Herod’s actions revealed a heart that was self absorbed while Peter’s actions revealed a heart that was God absorbed. People with self absorbed hearts will one day fall under the judgment of God, but those with God absorbed hearts will one day enter into the blessings of God for all eternity.
The sentence that grabs my attention the most in these closing paragraphs of Acts chapter 12 is “But the word of God increased and multiplied (verse 24).” In this important chapter of Scripture, James is killed, Peter is arrested, and Herod dies, but the Word of God increases and multiplies. No person, thing or power can triumph over the Word of God! As we read, hear, learn and trust the Word of God, it will triumph over everything in our life and over every trouble that comes our way. God’s Word is powerful!
Be encouraged today to read God’s Word. It was as the Ethiopian, in Acts chapter 8, was reading Isaiah that Philip meets up with him and points Him to Jesus Christ through the Scriptures (Acts 8:26-39). As we read the Scriptures, we will be pointed to Jesus Christ. God’s Word is all about Jesus and in order to have a relationship with Jesus, we must learn about him through God’s Word. The New Testament tells us that Jesus Christ is the Word. John’s Gospel says And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 ESV) Take time every day and read the Bible. As you read Scripture, you will be pointed to Jesus Christ and your relationship with Him grows as you will learn more and more of Him.
Also, be encouraged to hear God’s Word. Regularly listen to sermons and teachings delivered through God’s anointed messengers. It will grow your faith. God's Word says How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Rom 10:14-17 ESV)
As you read the word and listen to the word preached through anointed messengers, your faith will grow. As your faith grows, you learn that trusting the word in all situations and circumstances will get you through anything that comes your way. Things around you may fall apart. People will disappoint you. People close to you will pass away. Money will come and go. But, the word of God will increase and multiply in your life and no person, thing or power will triumph over it!
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