Acts 8:4–25

Be still: Dear Lord, thank you for your desire to meet with me wherever I am, whatever my circumstances. Please bless this time spent reading Scripture and teach me how to apply it to my life. Amen. 

Read: Acts 8:4–25

For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. (v7)

Encounter: Once, at an event, I met a musician I really admire. In my enthusiasm I gushed about her songs, a performance I’d seen her do, and asked what she was planning next. 

As I was speaking, I got the impression she wasn’t that keen to talk about her music— she changed the subject to my work, and her interests outside music. Too late I realised maybe she didn’t want to be praised as an artist— she wanted to be seen as a person. 

I imagine celebrities have that problem a lot. It must be difficult to know if people want to get close to you because you're successful, or because they genuinely like you. 

In today’s passage, we meet two men famous throughout a city in Samaria. Simon is known for his sorcery and bragging about himself, but when Philip arrives to preach about Jesus, Simon is so ‘astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw’— he becomes a believer. 

However, we see that Simon’s heart isn’t changed by his conversion: ‘When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money’: he wanted power, not the transforming Spirit himself. 

Like Simon, I can approach God for what he can give me, rather than getting to know him for who he is. Simon reminds us that miracles and power come second to the miracle of friendship with God. 

Apply: God tells us to present our requests to him, but he also invites us to spend time just enjoying his presence. What helps you feel closer to God? Perhaps it's time in nature, or listening to music, or being creative. Invite God into this moment and plan with him some focused time to enjoy him this coming week. 

Devote: Paul prays over the church: ‘May you come to know his love— although it can never be fully known— and so be completely filled with the very nature of God’ (Ephesians 3:19, GNT version). 

Lord, bring me closer to you that I may enjoy you and your love more fully.