Real Power

Two days ago, he scoffed.

Four days before that, he was a powerful magician.

Today, he was crushed.

Simon studied the man standing at the head of the crowd. He spoke with passion about his powerful God. A God who made Heaven and Hell. A God who created all of them. A God who sent his own son to die in order to save the world. The Son who rose from the dead. The Son who saved them.

Who could compete with that kind of power?

People jostled and pushed around each other in order to be closer to him, and the power of God. Days before, they had done that to be near him. Now, he was old news.

Not that it surprised him. Simon had listened to the man, Philip, speak. The power of God seemed to flow from his mouth like a mighty, rushing current, slamming into anyone who was listening.

It had even slammed into Simon. He couldn't deny it anymore. This power was real. It was mighty. It was God. So when Philip asked that whoever wanted to accept Jesus as Savior come to the front, Simon pushed through the crowd, and dropped to his knees.

Based on Acts 8:9-13

"But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, 'This man is the power of God that is called Great.' And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed." Acts 8:9-13

The people were absolutely amazed with Simon the magician. They flocked to Simon because he convinced them that he had not just any power, but the power of God. They thought he was the greatest thing since toilet paper. Okay, not historically accurate, but you get the picture.

But as great as his power seemed, it was no match for the real, tried, and true power of God.

So many people in today's world are like the people flocking around Simon the magician. They are enchanted by the "power" celebrities, politicians, and superstars possess.

But nothing is ever as great as the power of God.

Even Simon the magician, a man who tried and claimed to be powerful, saw that his earthly power could not hold the wick of an unlit candle compared to the supernova that is God's power.

"For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?" Psalm 89:6-7

No one. Nothing. I can't look at the mountains, the stars, or a baby without seeing the power of God. I can't read the Bible without seeing the power of God. I can't breathe the air into my lungs without seeing the power of God. Nothing compares to it because nothing could ever come close to it. One day, all the world will see that, just like Simon the magician.

V. Joy Palmer