Superman

Praise the LORD! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The LORD protects his people and gives victory to his anointed king. Save your people! Bless Israel, your special possession! Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them forever in your arms. (Psalm 28:6-9 NLV).

Look! Up in the sky!
It’s a bird!
It’s a plane!
No, it’s Superman!

In June of 1938 those words were first read as the first issue of Action Comics, featuring the superhero character of Superman was published. There were other claims given to the “Man of Steel.” He was able to “leap tall buildings in a single bound,” “to run faster than a speeding bullet,” and “more powerful than a locomotive.” Superman is probably the best-known superhero in the world. Superman comic books have been around for over 50 years, though his appearances in movies and television have probably done more to make him famous. Superman has various superhuman abilities that he uses to uphold good. He captures criminals, rescues people in danger, strives for justice, and has a strong sense of morals. In short, Superman “fights for Truth, Justice, and the American Way.” Superman wears a special costume while fighting crime, but he also has a life outside of being a superhero. As Clark Kent, he grew up in the town of Smallville, Kansas, and attended Metropolis University. Clark is a Pulitzer prize-winning newspaper reporter for the DAILY PLANET, and he strives to keep his Superman identity secret.

The entire world needs such a superhero; yet, many have failed to find the only real one. It is the Lord who has the strength to save us. In his beautiful book, I Shall Not Want, Robert Ketchum tells of a Sunday school teacher who asked her group of children if any of them could quote the entire twenty-third psalm. A golden-haired, four-and-a-half-year-old girl was among those who raised their hands. A bit skeptical, the teacher asked if she could really quote the entire psalm. The little girl came to the rostrum, faced the class, made a perky little bow, and said: "The Lord is my shepherd, that's all I want." She then bowed again and sat down. She may have overlooked a few verses, but that little girl captured David's heart in Psalm 23.

Many people never find the true strength for life simply because they do not place their trust in the Lord. The story is told of a Welsh woman who lived in a remote valley in Wales. She went to a great deal of trouble to have electrical power installed in her home. They noticed she didn't use very much electricity at all. In fact, her usage was minuscule. They sent a meter reader out to check on the matter. The man came to the door and said, "We've looked at the amount. Don't you use electricity?" "Oh yes" she said. "We turn it on every night to see how to light our lamps and then we switch it off again." This sounds like the way many Christians apply the power of God in their lives. You may find Him and all the strength necessary for all of your challenges if you will simply turn toward Him today. He’s the real “Superman!”