Triumph in Trials - The Sovereignty of God

Today, we're going to look into a few verses that clearly show how God is in charge of people's lives, how His justice is carried out, and how His Word can't be stopped. Proverbs 11:8 says, "“The righteous is delivered from trouble, And it comes to the wicked instead.” This story has a lot to do with that timeless truth. This proverb sets the stage for a powerful example of God's activity and judgment, which can be seen in Herod's life and fall.

Acts 12:20–24 not only tells us about events that happened in the past but also speaks to us today and reminds us of God's supreme power and justice. Looking deeper into this text, we are asked to think about what pride is, what happens when we don't give God glory, and the deep truth that God's will always wins, His church always grows, and His Word always spreads.

Let's open our hearts to the lessons that these verses have to teach us and see how they apply to our lives today. Whether we are going through hard times, feeling ignored by those who do bad things who seem to be doing well, or even when we’re tempted to take credit for what God has done, this passage is a powerful reminder that God is in charge, His justice will be done, and His plans will come to come to pass.

Let’s pay attention to this description about Herod's last days and use it as a mirror to see how our own hearts are doing and a light to help us remember that God is in charge and that He is glorious. The story should support, correct, and inspire us because it tells us that when we are on God's side, we will win in the end.

So, let's look deeper into Acts 12:20–24 and try to get closer look at God, whose plans can't be changed, whose fairness can't be challenged, and whose love for us never ends.

I. What Led Up to Judgment (Acts 12:20-21)

A. The Political Crisis (Acts 12:20)

The Desperation of Tyre and Sidon

Herod had left Jerusalem and went up to Caesarea.

The people of Tyre and Sidon, who depended on the Jews for food (see Ezra 3:7), had in some way upset King Herod and were in danger of losing this assistance.

Apparently in worse famine conditions than those in Herod’s kingdom, the people of Tyre and Sidon depended on Judea for food.

In true political fashion, they bribed Blastus, who was in charge of the king’s bed chamber, and was a trusted official; he in turn convinced the king to meet the delegation.

It was an opportunity for the proud king to display his authority and glory, and for the delegates to please him with their flattery.

The people of Tyre and Sidon found themselves in a politically charged situation, their lives hanging in the balance. It wasn't just about politics; it was about survival.

Resorting to Bribery for Survival

So, what do you do when you're backed into a corner, when the lives of your people hang by a thread? You do whatever it takes. The leaders of Tyre and Sidon didn't sit back; they took action. They turned to bribery. It's easy to judge, isn't it? But let's be real. When push comes to shove, when it's about survival, human beings have a remarkable capacity to do whatever it takes to preserve their way of life.

They found Blastus, the king's right-hand man, the guy who knew Herod's favorite wine, his favorite spots to relax. They cozied up to him, sweetening the deal, ensuring that Herod would even consider their plea.

It's a vivid picture of how far we're willing to go when we're desperate, how easily we resort to manipulating situations just to survive another day.

This story isn't just ancient history. It's a mirror reflecting our own tendencies, our own willingness to compromise, to negotiate with our morals when we're backed into a corner. It challenges us to ask ourselves: What am I willing to do for survival? For security? And at what cost?

Let's not be so quick to give up on God, but rather seek His kingdom first, trusting that all these things, including our daily bread, will be added unto us.

B. Herod’s Display of Pride (21)

So, taking advantage of the situation, when the day arrived, Herod paraded himself out in full regalia.

At the center of this spectacle is King Herod, not just dressed up, but historians tell us, wearing a garment that literally sparkles with silver—a walking, talking embodiment of power and wealth. This isn't just fashion; it's a statement. He's not just attending the festival; he is the festival.

Now, Herod isn't just soaking up the atmosphere; he's basking in the glow of his own perceived greatness. You can almost see him, can't you? Moving through the crowd, his silver garment catching the light, turning heads, drawing gasps. And as he steps up to speak, the anticipation crescendos. Here is a man who lives for moments like this. The applause, the adulation—it's not just welcome; it's expected.

But here's the thing about Herod's craving for glory. It's like a hunger that can never be satisfied. Every cheer, every word of flattery, it feeds him, yes—but it also blinds him. Blinds him to the reality that the honor he so desperately seeks, the power he wields so carelessly, it's not really his. It's borrowed. Lent by the only One who truly owns any power or glory: God Himself.

Herod came to believe in his own press releases.

Herod's story reminds us that there's only one audience worth playing to, only one source of approval that matters. And when we forget that, when we let our craving for earthly glory blind us to the heavenly glory that's the real deal, we're setting ourselves up for a fall.

II. The Consequences of Idolatry (Acts 12:22-23)

A. The People’s Flattery (v. 22)

The people saw the king and heard the king and they were whipped up into a frenzy. King Herod was on cloud nine as the people continually shouted. They didn’t shout at the King, but they shouted for the King. They were responding to everything he said.

Whether they believed he was or not, they start proclaiming him as a god. Not in a metaphorical sense, but literally elevating him to divine status. They were probably trying to butter up the king. It's the kind of flattery that goes beyond complimenting someone's new haircut or applauding a well-delivered presentation. This is flattery on steroids.

Now, why do they do it? Maybe they're caught up in the moment, swept away by the grandeur of the festival and the charisma of a king who knows how to play the crowd like a maestro. Or maybe it's more calculated than that, a deliberate act of idolatry designed to curry favor with the most powerful man in the room. Whatever the reason, it's dangerous to place on a human the kind of reverence and adoration that should be reserved for God alone.

But we see it all the time, don’t we. From music idols to million-dollar athletes. The praise. The adulation. Being elevated to idol status. They begin to feel larger than life.

And here's where the contrast comes into sharp relief. God, in Isaiah 42:8, declares, "I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols."

It's a line in the sand, a clear demarcation of who deserves our ultimate praise and adoration. God doesn't share His glory. He doesn't play second fiddle to anyone, no matter how impressive their silver garments might be.

Let's resist the temptation to place ourselves or anyone else on a pedestal that only God should occupy

B. Divine Retribution (v. 23)

In verse 23, we're given a front-row seat to the ultimate reality check. Picture this: Herod, fresh off the high of being called a god, suddenly struck down—not by an assassin's hand, but by something far more powerful.

The text tells us it was an angel of the Lord who delivered this blow, a direct consequence of Herod's failure to give God the glory. This isn't just a bad day for Herod; it's the end.

Instead of Peter being killed by Herod, it was Herod who was killed by Peter’s God!

We’re not sure, but I’d like to think it was the same angel who delivered Peter who also struck down the king. Herod contracted some affliction in his bowels and died five days later.

The Jewish historian, Josephus reported that Herod lived in pain for five more days and died at the age of fifty-four in 44 A.D.

Now, let's zoom out a bit and talk about what this means on a larger scale.

This moment is about more than just Herod getting his comeuppance. It's a vivid demonstration of God's justice and His ultimate control over the rise and fall of leaders.

It's easy to look at the powerful figures in our world and think they're untouchable, that they write their own rules. But here's the truth: there's a higher authority, one that holds every leader, every nation, in His hands.

This isn't just about ancient history or divine judgment in a bygone era. It's a reminder to us, here and now, that God sees the big picture. He raises leaders up, and He can bring them down. And while we might not always understand His timing or His methods, we can trust that He is just, that He cares deeply about the oppressed and the voiceless, and that ultimately, no one is beyond His reach or His judgment.

III. The Triumph of God's Word (Acts 12:24)

The God of the Word was honored and worship and the church grew as they preached the gospel of Jesus Christ.

John Phillips wrote, “Herod might want to destroy the church, but the Word of God, inspired, infallible, inerrant, invincible, marched gloriously on. The armed might of government may be mobilized against it, but the Word of God knows no boundaries to its empire, no barriers to its progress.”

Here in this verse, amid the backdrop of political intrigue, divine judgment, and human frailty, we witness something truly extraordinary—the unstoppable growth of the Gospel.

It’s like watching a plant sprout through a crack in a boulder. Despite all the human efforts to suppress it, the Word of God breaks out, vibrant and alive.

So, what does this mean for us, sitting here today? It's a vivid reminder that we are part of something unstoppable. When we feel overwhelmed by the headlines, discouraged by the opposition, or tempted to think our efforts are too small to make a difference, remember Acts 12:24. The Word grew and multiplied, not because conditions were favorable, but because God was—and is—on the move.

This should embolden us, inspire us to speak, to act, to love with the courage of those early believers. Our context might be different, but the mission is the same, and so is the God who oversees it all.

So, let’s lean into that promise, that assurance. Let’s be carriers of this unstoppable Word, letting it resonate in our words, our actions, our very lives. And as we do, let’s watch in awe as God does what He has always done—advancing His kingdom, growing His church, multiplying His Word, and drawing hearts to Himself, no matter what stands in the way.

Remember, we’re not working toward victory; we’re working from victory. The outcome isn’t in doubt. The Gospel will spread, God’s purposes will prevail, and His Word will multiply, regardless of earthly powers. What a privilege to be part of that story!