Today’s devotion comes from Acts 14:8-18.
“At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM. In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.” Acts 14:8-18.
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What are these vain things?
These vain things are sacrifices and other honors to man.
And yet, how we chase after them!
We chase after big honors, and we chase after small honors.
But, we should seek to honor and glorify God Who alone “MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM.” Verse 15.
We should seek to honor and glorify God Who alone provides “rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Verse 17.
We should seek to honor and glorify God Who alone is good. “And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. ” Mark 10:18 and Luke 18-19.
We should seek to honor and glorify God Who alone can and does provide salvation.
“22 “Now consider this, you who forget God,
Or I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver.
23 “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:22-23.
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.” Revelation 4:11.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 