A God of Power

   Probably, one of the most prominent characteristics of God that immediately comes to the mind of most people is His power.  Nuclear weapons, laser beams, super heroes with super powers...  We're bombarded with images of power through literature and media.  But all of those images, and all of the potential power that can be conjured up by the imagination of man, does not begin to compare with God's power.  His power is infinite, limitless.  The scriptures refer to Him as omnipotent, all powerful! (Rev. 19:6).

   People have bowed down to all kinds of images of supposed gods through the centuries.  Some people have even proclaimed themselves to be gods.  In every case, however, their lack of power decisively demonstrates the fact that they are utter frauds.  Anyone can claim to be a god, or they can attribute divinity to some image that they worship.  But the Lord God of heaven has repeatedly demonstrated His power as God, and that power sets Him apart as the one and only true God.

   Our perception of God's power should be definite - He is "Almighty God" (Gen. 17:1).  His power is absolute and undeniable.  He caused a barren, ninety year old woman to give birth to a child (Gen. 18:12-14; 21-1-2).  He split the Red Sea and allowed the people of Israel to cross over on dry ground (Ex. 14:21-22).  The angel Gabriel assured Mary that she, through a virgin, would bear the Son of God in physical form, because "with God nothing will be impossible" (Lk. 1:26-37).  He raised Jesus from the dead on the third day following His death on the cross (Matt. 28:1-6).  Job stated, speaking of God, "I know that You can do everything" (Job 42:2).  Jeremiah declared, "There is nothing too hard for You" (Jer. 32:17).  We can be sure that God is "able to perform" whatever He promises (Rom. 4:20-21).  Indeed, He "is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20).

   One psalm, in particular, describes both God's omniscience - the fact that He is all seeing and all knowing - and His omnipresence - the fact that He is everywhere all the time - (Ps. 139:1-12).  There is no place a person can go wherein he can escape God's presence and knowledge (Jer. 23:23-24).

   The greatest significance to understanding that God is all powerful is the understanding that we can be absolutely confident in His ability to fulfill His promise to bless the faithful with everlasting life (Rom. 6:23).  He can see us through victoriously any and all temptations with which the devil might try to bring us down (1 Cor. 10:31).

   How blessed we are to serve such a God, a God of love and mercy and grace and power.  He sent Jesus into this world with a special message, a message of salvation.  Within that message, the gospel of Christ. is "the power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16).  Have you accepted and obeyed that message that holds God's power to save you?  If not, what are you waiting for???