God IS All-Powerful

What comes to mind when you think of the word “power”? Electricity? Government? A boss? Arnold Schwarzenegger? Gale force winds? A roaring fire?

Power is an interesting thing. Electricity, for example, needs a conduit or else it will short out. A fire that is contained is a source of warmth and can sustain one’s very life in a cold, outdoor environment, but a fire not managed can wreak devastation of property and lives.

Isn’t it amazing to know that the One who holds all power, who IS all power (God), is in control? Not only is He in control of His power, He’s in control of all! The word “power” appears in the Bible 247 times (ESV). Here are just a couple of passages:

1 Chronicles 29:11: Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.

Jeremiah 10:12: It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens.

Unlike corrupt politicians, God’s power is pure.

Unlike that wounded, abusive boss, God’s power is loving and has a heart that sees (and wants) the best for us.

Unlike Arnold Schwarzenegger… well… God Is the original Mr. Universe, amen? Sorry, Arnie.

We, as believers, know that God is all-powerful. We understand that He is on the throne and no higher authority exists in heaven or on earth. But if we are honest, we sometimes lose sight of His power and, dare I say, on occasion, we try to overthrow His throne. We attempt to be our own power source. Like a three-year-old sassing his daddy, we know the power our authority figure has over us, but we feel the need to test it. Challenge it. Spend five minutes in the Old Testament book of Exodus, and you’ll see this demonstrated numerous times. God referred to the Israelites as “A stiff-necked people.” And the defiance and rebellion didn’t stop with them!

Truth is, many of us don’t like the idea of anyone lording over us, even God! It can invoke many feelings, from anger to fear to even defeat. Add to it that our culture is insane- shaking an angry fist at almost anyone male in a position of authority and mocking the idea of a God who just wants to ruin our “fun” (e.g., things that actually lead to our demise). Even the most mature Christian struggles at times with the idea of wanting to go our own way and circumvent, if not usurp, God’s power.

In the struggle for the position of power, the throne, if you will, the answer, the only thing that produces a lasting peace and calm is… (drumroll, please)...

Surrender.

Sounds easy, right? It may also sound cowardly to some of us, but it isn’t! Surrender is our way of acknowledging and accepting the Most Powerful God! It is a bowing down to the only One who is worthy of ultimate power! It is a putting off of our pride and a taking up of His cross! Even the most powerful God (Jesus) surrendered to the will of His Father! In doing so, He dealt a blow to death itself! And as followers of Jesus, we have the resurrection power in us! We have power because He IS power, and He lives in us! That is certainly something to be grateful for!

Lord, thank you for your power. We confess that we do, at times, try to push you off your throne and strive to be our own source of power.. I pray that we would cooperate with You, bowing down, surrendering to Your will, walking with You in obedience and joy! Teach us the gift that surrender is. Power struggles create strife, confusion and chaos. A surrendered heart, however, is malleable, and you can work with it! Please walk with us day by day, showing us Your perfect and pleasing will in our lives. May we not bow to lesser things. In Jesus’ powerful name, we pray, amen.