S – When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” ¹² Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

 Acts 14:11–12 CSB

O – Commentary:

Zeus was the patron god of Lystra, and the city had a temple in his honor. They associated Barnabas with Zeus, perhaps because he was the more impressive figure, and Hermes was identified with Paul … since he was the chief speaker. The native people of Lystra thought that they were being treated to a divine visitation similar to a past mythological appearance cited by the poet Ovid (in which the gods Zeus and Hermes came to visit the area but were unrecognized except by an old couple; see Ovid, Metamorphoses 8.616–724). So the people set out to honor these supposed gods.

14:13–18 The apostles 

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – Is it easier to give glory to God or find something more “tangible” to praise?  This isn’t isolated to just this story – we do it to.  “It was luck” or “what a coincidence” are simple explanations of something working for our good instead of recognizing who is orchestrating the good things in our lives.  Also, recognizing God eventually will call us to relationship.  It is easier to focus on other things than something that requires a commitment.

R – Heavenly Father, we honor you above all other things. Please empower us to recognize your hand in our lives.  The good and the bad is allowed by you.  We choose to praise and honor you and not other “gods.”