Recognizing God’s Power

Recognizing God’s Power

                William Barclay wrote, “The Christian hope is the hope

which has seen everything and endured everything, and has still not despaired, because it believes in God. The Christian hope is not hope in the human spirit, in human goodness, in human endurance, in human achievement; the Christian hope is hope in the power of God.  This is the hope that we need to revive when we feel that our power has been taken away. But how do we recognize God’s Power?

                The creative power of God to speak into existence the world we inhabit and explore demonstrates God’s unique power.  Hebrews 11:3 and Psalm 33:6 and 9 describe God’s creative power—out of nothing the worlds were made; God spoke and it was done.

                God’s supernatural power enabled the Nile River to turn into blood, when the sun stood still for Moses, when Jesus walked on the water, turned water into wine, etc people saw the miracles yet were they miracles or supernatural power of God being demonstrated.  Miracles are the glimpses of restoration.

                God’s transformative power involves the conversion of Saul of Tarsus to Paul and even in modern times—C.S. Lewis a former atheist! The New Testament shows changes in people and in culture. None of the early Christians were powerful and often they were unpopular, persecuted and maligned. Yet within 300 years Rome became Christian.

                This power—comes from God and can only be used when He wants to show it. This is usually when we are weak and we turn to God for help. Human weakness is the perfect opportunity for God to demonstrate His power to accomplish anything that is in His perfect will. Your greatest weakness can become the gateway to God’s greatest demonstration of power in your life. 2 Cor 12:9.  “My grace is sufficient for you for power is perfected in weakness.” Paul responds, ”When I am weak, than I am strong!”     

REFLECTION

How much hope have you put in the power of God in your own life? Why? In which areas have you expected or hope to experience His power?

Have you ever experienced God’s transforming power in your own life? What about in someone else’s life?

Do you rely and trust in God’s power now and are you really trusting that God will/can raise us from the dead by His power?

PRAYER Holy God of grace and love we praise you for the power you have to create all things, transform people and to show us glimpses of your restorative love. We praise you that we might have hope because of this power and your love. Speak to our hearts again as we seek you and as we search for you in our every day living. Help us in our unbelief. Amen.

Reflection based upon Dan Schaeffer. The power of weakness. Discovery House Publishers, 2014, p. 61-74.