Pardon And Peace Seekers

He had been quarrelling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. Acts 12: 20

Focus on the Sense and Wisdom of the people of Tyre and Sidon.  

These people have not been finding favour with King Herod. Whatever were the issues, the fact remained that the king was not happy with them in the least. He had been quarrelling with them, which was not to their advantage. However right or wrong the king might have been, however unfair or high handed he was, the people knew their place and their position with him. They acknowledged that the king was bigger than they were and that they needed him, for he was their source of food. Knowing and acknowledging how very tied to the King’s country they were, to remain in an estranged position would not at all be smart. 

The Sense of Humbled Pride - The truth is that Herod did not need them to provide his food. They needed him to provide their food. These people were not about to suffer and even die, because of pride and a haughty spirit. They decided to seek pardon and peace from this king. Their sense in such an action is seen, as they joined as one for the common good. The verse clearly states They now joined together and sought an audience with him.

Whether they were enemies or friends mattered not; whether they had ever done things together or not, was not a consideration; whether one was more powerful than the other, was a non-issue. They put away all differences, all pride and came together to seek peace. All they wanted from this one who had the power and authority to provide and supply their food was pardon and peace.  

The Sense of Humbled pride is still seen in the coming together of those who seek the same pardon and peace from the Giver of Food.

The Wisdom of the Humbled Pride – These people knew that they needed help and were not too proud to ask for it. They were not too big to find a trusted, personal servant of King Herod and ask for his help in their desire for pardon and peace. The wisdom of the humbled heart is never too puffed up to lose all pride and go to a servant, to secure needed help. The verse clearly states, Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king. Whether or not they were called ‘chicken’; whether or not they were ridiculed; whether they were seen as weaklings or not, these two cities knew the urgency of receiving pardon and peace from the King.

Is not the Lord our Provider King? When we have offended Him, are we willing to humble ourselves and go all out to seek His pardon and peace? Are we so affected by Him being estranged from us that we are willing to join with others in similar position, to seek Him? Does our pride allow us to seek out and find a trusted servant of His, to help us? If, like the people of Tyre and Sidon, we do not want to forfeit our peace, if we do not want needless pain and stress, then we will quickly know the sense and wisdom of humbled pride.

The Wisdom of Humbled pride is still seen in securing the support of a trusted servant of the Lord, to seek your pardon and peace from the Giver of Food.

Lord, You are my Food source, both spiritually and physically and to live with You angry with me is more than I can bear. How can I then let pride be my hindrance in seeking Your pardon and peace? Grant me the sense and wisdom to humble my pride, die to it, starve it, that I may not be starved from Your daily bread. May all who seek Your pardon and peace, receive. Amen!