Pride

²¹ On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.²² They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” ²³ 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.

Acts 12:21-23

The cause of Herod's death can be assumed that it was the effects of contracting scabies. This disease putrefied his body and inflicted his mind with psychosis, as the process of his death was slow and excruciating. God struck down Herod because he did not give praise to God. 

Herod was a murder, and the arch enemy of Jesus' birth story. Herod was there at the last moments of Jesus' passion week, as he mocked Jesus when he finally met him face to face... but why did God take so long to smite Herod? Why did God finally act upon Herod's inability to give Him praise rather than punishing him for his evil deeds of murder?? The short answer is.. I believe God gives second, third, four and so on chances. If Herod only repented and believed in Jesus, he wouldn't have endured such hardships. Jesus forgives all, even the murders like Herod. In additional God acts upon Herod in this verse because, God opposes the proud. Pride is what got us kicked out of Eden. Pride is what draws us away from Christ's transforming power, and pride is what I believe is the root of all sin. Pride gets inside and changes our heart to walk away from God. Therefore, I believe this same pride is finally what killed Herod, as he felt threatened by Jesus hence he went on a massacre to murder all the children, only because he felt his kingship would be threatened. God should only be the one in my life to give him all credit. All of my deeds are pointed back to Him who gave me the gifts.

Jesus forgive me of my pride. Forgive me for the sins I've committed. Help me to always remember to give you the just praise, and never take that credit away from you. You gave me talents, abilities, and the heart to do your work at church and with people around me. Let my life be a testament of you. Let pride not enter in my thoughts.

In Jesus Name
Amen