SUNDAY March 26, 2023
Sorcery, the Power of Darkness
But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.
Acts 8:9-11
Simon’s profession was sorcery. He became famous because of the wonders he was able to do through demonic power. The people were astonished and were easily deceived into thinking Simon had a great power from God! This was false. Simon did not have any great power from God––he used demonic power.
In Egypt, demonic powers were commonly used. Pharaoh had enslaved the children of Israel, and God sent Moses to deliver them. God used Moses and his brother Aaron. They told Pharaoh to let God’s people go! Aaron cast down the rod in his hand, and it miraculously turned into a serpent! Pharaoh ordered his magicians and sorcerers to do the same, and through their enchantments, they duplicated the miracle:
Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents (Exodus 7:11-12).
However, Aaron’s rod devoured all their rods in a show of God’s almighty power. Then God commanded Moses to strike the river, and it would turn to blood. The fish died and the river stank (Exodus 7:14-18). Aaron also used the rod and turned to blood all the remaining waters in the ponds, streams, rivers and even water in pitchers and buckets (Exodus 7:19-21). Yet ... the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments... (Exodus 7:22). The plague of frogs was also duplicated by the magicians, but as God continued to plague Egypt, they were rendered powerless.
God is all-powerful––omniscient. He can deliver a nation from Satan’s power or one sinner who is enslaved to sin.
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love....
~Colossians 1:13~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
