Parenting by Design - February 20

A spiritual legacy

Acts 12:21-24:  On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not a man." Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died (NIV).

This verse refers to Herod Agrippa I, who was the grandson of Herod the Great. Interestingly, this event is also recorded by the Jewish historian Josephus in his work, Jewish Antiquities. Josephus describes the royal robe Herod was wearing as "a garment of woven silver which gleamed in the rays of the rising sun." No wonder the people were impressed! In the end, however, Herod's arrogance couldn't save him from a humiliating demise.

Whether it is the newest gadget or the most fashionable clothes, the truth is, we often use material possessions to gain worldly validation for ourselves and our kids. The satisfaction these things bring, however, is always fleeting. Instead, God wants us to trust in Him by surrendering our glory for His.