[b]God’s Power Is For You[/b]
[i]by[/i] Rich Carmicheal

"…His incomparably great power for us who believe…" (Eph. 1:19).

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s power is available for you. Now ponder that for a moment. God is omnipotent – there is no limit whatsoever to His power! This means there will never be a lack of power available for anything we need in our lives or ministries. As the Apostle Peter states, "His [God’s] divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness…" (2 Pet. 1:3).

Do you have special needs or concerns at present that require the power of God? If so, then I encourage you to consider with me God’s power and some of the many ways His power works for us.

The Lord Is Powerful

Power is inherent in the nature of the Lord. He is "strong and mighty" (Psa. 24:8) and His right hand is "majestic in power" (Ex. 15:6). He "is armed with strength" (Psa. 93:1) and "…strength and glory are in His sanctuary" (Psa. 96:6). He is the Sovereign Lord who comes with power (Isa. 40:10) and "rules forever by His power…" (Psa. 66:7). His power is so great that His enemies cringe before Him (Psa. 66:3).

God’s power is also clearly revealed through the life and ministry of His Son. After Jesus’ baptism and period of temptation in the wilderness, He "returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit" (Luke 4:14). Through this power and anointing He preached good news to the poor, He proclaimed freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, He released the oppressed and proclaimed the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18-19). He also used His authority and power to drive out evil spirits (Luke 4:36) and to heal all who were under the power of the devil (Acts 10:38). The people "all tried to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all" (Luke 6:19). On at least one occasion, Jesus stopped to ask who had touched Him because He "realized that power had gone out from Him" (Mark 5:30).

Daniel, in a prophecy about Christ, declared that "one like a son of man…was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed" (Dan. 7:13-14). The Father did indeed put all things under Jesus’ power (John 13:3), and through the working of His mighty strength He raised Christ "from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come" (Eph. 1:20-21). Christ is "the head over every power and authority" (Col. 2:10) and is "the power of God" (1 Cor. 1:24).

So whether we are focusing upon the Father, Son or Holy Spirit, there is no question that God is powerful! The Apostle Paul describes this power as "incomparably great" or, as another translation states, "the exceeding greatness of His power" (Eph. 1:19). God’s power is "all-surpassing" (2 Cor. 4:7) and so far beyond man’s power, it is impossible for us to fully comprehend the extent of it. We can, however, begin to understand more about God’s power by looking at some examples of it. As you consider these, keep in mind that if you are a believer, God’s power is for you!

God’s Power in Creation

One of the great displays of God’s power is His work of Creation. The Apostle Paul writes that "…since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…" (Rom. 1:20). He made the earth and formed the mountains by His power (Jer. 10:12; Psa. 65:6). The Prophet Isaiah reminds us that the Lord created the heavens and stars, and that He sustains them by His power: "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing" (Isa. 40:26). What incredible power!

The Lord’s Power to Deliver and Save

There is a wide range of examples in the Bible of God’s power at work. Through His power He is able to give people physical strength (Jdg. 14:6; 1 Kgs. 18:46), perform signs and miracles for them and through them (Psa. 77:14; Acts 6:8; Rom. 15:19), empower them for ministry (Mic. 3:8), and the list goes on and on.

His greatest displays of power, however, are related to His power to deliver and save. It was by His great power that He redeemed His people and brought them out of their bondage in Egypt (Deut. 9:29). And it is by His power that He delivers His people today from sin through the Cross of Christ which is "the power of God" (1 Cor. 1:18) and grants us new life through the Resurrection of Christ. The message of the Gospel is the "power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…" (Rom. 1:16).

Through His power the Lord is able to bring everything under His control (Phil. 3:21). He is at work, even now, transforming sinners into servants of the Gospel (Eph. 3:7). And as He raised Christ from the dead, He will raise us also (1 Cor. 6:14).

God’s Power for Us

The Lord is, therefore, both in His nature and activity, a God of power, and all the potential of His power is available for us. No wonder such remarkable statements are made in Scripture regarding the impact of God’s power in and through people’s lives. Here are just a few examples: He enables us to go on the greater heights (Hab. 3:19); He strengthens and equips us for life and service (Psa. 68:35; Acts 6:8; Eph. 3:16; 6:10; 1 Pet. 4:11); He gives us help in trouble (Psa. 46:1); He enables us to fully proclaim His message (2 Tim. 4:17); He delivers us from enemies (2 Tim. 4:17); He makes us powerful in battle (Heb. 11:34); He enables us to be strong and courageous instead of afraid and discouraged (2 Chr. 32:7); He gives strength when we are weary and increases power when we are weak (Isa. 40:29); He protects us (John 17:11); He fills us with hope (Rom. 15:13); He empowers our preaching (1 Cor. 2:4); He gives us great endurance and patience (Col. 1:11); He gives us boldness and the ability to endure suffering (2 Tim. 1:7-8); He shields us (1 Pet. 1:5); He enables us to be witnesses for Him nearby and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8); He saves us (Zeph. 3:17); and He equips us with weapons that can demolish strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4).

In other words, if you are weak, in trouble, under attack, fearful, discouraged, weary, lacking hope, lacking power in ministry, lacking courage, ready to give up, pushed to your limit, in need of salvation, involved in a spiritual battle, or if you have some other need(s) in your life, then find great encouragement and hope in knowing that God’s power is for you, and His power will make the difference! Because the Lord is a powerful God who works powerfully for His people, you can have the same certainty as the Apostle Paul and declare, "I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength" (Phil. 4:13). You can also have the same confidence as Abraham who, even against all hope, "did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in His faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised" (Rom. 4:20-21). God is able!

Trust in the Lord and His Power

King David was very familiar with God’s power. The Lord had delivered him from the lion and the bear (1 Sam. 17:37), from Goliath (1 Sam. 17:46), and had given him many other victories over enemies. David had also experienced the Lord’s forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, compassion, strength, and provision (Psa. 103:3-5). He could say of the Lord, "I have seen You in the sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory" (Psa. 63:2). He could cry out to the Lord, "Summon Your power, O God; show us Your strength, O God, as You have done before" (Psa. 68:28). And he could rejoice, "You are awesome, O God, in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people" (Psa. 68:35).

In one of his psalms of thanks, David declares, "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always" (1 Chr. 16:11). My encouragement to you is likewise. Look to the Lord and His strength. Seek Him. Humble yourself under "God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:6-7). His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). Lay your needs for life and godliness before Him, and trust Him and His power. "Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You" (Jer. 32:17).

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Eph. 3:20-21).

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SI Moderator - Greg Gordon