Written by Aika Kuboe (Sophomore at NHCC)
Scripture
Acts 13:45 – “When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.”
Observation
The whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. That’s amazing! It’s obvious that God was mightily and miraculously working among the people through Paul. However, the Jews couldn’t rejoice seeing the crowd—not because they were innocent and trying to be by themselves, but because of their perspective. They couldn’t shake off the thoughts of being popular or “being famous” among the people.
The Bible directly says they were “filled with jealousy.” Often, when we become jealous of someone, we compare ourselves with others, seeing what they have and what we don’t. In this case, the Jews compared themselves with Paul and saw the crowd as Paul’s possession or his glory.
One thing is missing—God’s glory. It was God’s glory that drew the whole city to hear the Word of the Lord, and it was never about what Paul did or what Paul had. If the Jews had a perspective of looking for God, they probably would have recognized this whole event as God’s work and His glory.
Instead, they only saw a surface level of what was happening. Their perspective was rooted in human pride rather than seeing God’s mighty work for what it truly was.
Application
Our perspective and mindset are so important. If we look for our reputation, our chance to become popular and famous, all we see is vanity and jealousy. But if we look for the Word of God and His glory, we will see things rightly and correctly. We will perceive God’s work for what it is.
The question I want to ask myself today is:
“What am I looking for—God’s glory or my vanity?”
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking to me today and giving me Your fresh wisdom. I sometimes seek my vanity and praise from people rather than Your glory. Lord, would You please help me to see things rightly and correctly?
I want to look for Your glory and presence more than my own vanity. Change my heart and perspective from self-satisfaction to what is pleasing to You.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
