SCRIPTURE: Acts 14 

KEY POINTS TO PONDER: In Acts 14, we see Paul and Barnabas finish their first missionary journey by going to Iconium, then Lystra, and then returning to Antioch (which is where they had been sent out from). Their experience at Lystra is particularly significant in that it contrasts an earlier passage in Acts 12:19-24. In Acts 12, we saw a secular leader, Herod, face the consequences of taking credit for something instead of giving glory to God. In fact, he took credit to the extent that he was letting other people call him a god! But when a similar situation happens to Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14: 11-17, the actions of these two men shows where their identity is placed. Instead of accepting all these gifts and all the praise and glory, they tear their clothes (a sign of shame and distress in that day and age) and rush into the crowd shouting that God is to be worshiped and not them. As sinful humans, we can expect to face the same temptation that Herod, Paul and Barnabas did. But when the Holy Spirit works in our hearts, we will begin to not seek the glory and approval of others, but to direct that to God, the one who deserves ultimate praise and glory. 

CHALLENGING TERMS: An easy way to understand the book of Acts (at least the second half) is via Paul’s missionary journeys. Paul’s first journey is in Acts 13-14, his second journey is in Acts 15-18, his third journey is in Acts 18-21, and his travel to Rome is in Acts 27-28. 

REFLECTION: When have you been tempted to receive and seek out praise from others to build yourself up? How can you change your actions in the future to seek God’s glory instead? 

PRAYER: Father, thank you that we don’t have to seek out people’s praise and approval, but that our worth and identity are found entirely in you! 

Pray that God would show you ways to direct praise and glory to him in your life.