Acts 19:11-17

¹¹ God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, ¹² so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them. ¹³ Then some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” ¹⁴ Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. ¹⁵ But the evil spirit said to them in reply, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” ¹⁶ Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered them all, and so overpowered them that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. ¹⁷ When this became known to all residents of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, everyone was awestruck, and the name of the Lord Jesus was praised. 

As Paul spent two years in the city of Ephesus, God caused incredible events and miracles to be worked through him. And the power of God produced “awe” in both Jews and Greeks.

If we are on the lookout for God’s powerful acts in our presence, we might find them. It may not be healing cloths, or even aggressive demons beating and stripping itinerant exorcists, but God’s power is still here. And when we stand in awe of God, the Lord Jesus be praised.

When we are moved to love those whom the world calls unlovable, the Lord Jesus be praised.

When we generously share the money we have worked so hard to earn, so that someone else can eat or sleep securely, the Lord Jesus be praised.

When we can see past our own faults, and accept what God has done for us in sending Jesus to save us, the Lord Jesus be praised.

Prayer

God, give me the opportunity to stand in awe of you this week, so that the Lord Jesus will be praised. Amen.