Devotions this week based on the Message: “Hope Comes with Victory!”.
(Sorry I am late in sending this today…)
In an athletic match up, strength is often the key. Athletes know this so whether one plays football, basketball, soccer or whatever they spend time in the weight room. Part of strength is endurance. Part of strength is the amount of weight you can move. Strength makes a difference to win.
So do resources. If a team HAS a weight room, that matters. If a team has resources to buy the best equipment, that matters. If a team has the resources to have the best coaches, that matters.
Defeat is easy to obtain when I feel like I don’t have the power or resources to overcome my opponent.
Do you ever feel this way as a Christian?
Does it ever feel like the forces against us are stronger than the forces for us?
Does it seem like the opposition to Christ has a stronger effort and set of resources than do Christians?
I will admit, it does. And it feels discouraging.
Until I realize that I am looking at manmade strength and man obtained resources.
Look at what the Apostle Paul wants us to see:
Ephesians 1:18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
He then goes on to explain that power…read this slowly…let it soak in…
That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 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.
The power…that RAISED Jesus from the dead!
The power…that ASCENDED Jesus into heaven!
The power…that he has at the RIGHT HAND of God!
The power…that is ABOVE every…EVERY other power on earth today and in the age to come!
That power is ours to tap into for the sake of our faith and the spread of the Gospel.
And resources?
Psalm 24: 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.
All power. All resources are at God’s disposal and he is more than ready to share them with us…not for selfish gain or personal power, but for us to see the power of the Gospel and be part of its spread.
So this morning, I repent Lord of admitting defeat in my life when I’ve exhausted my personal strength and limited resources. Open the eyes of my heart to see and trust that the incomparably great power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power you are working in me and for me. Lead me not to despair but to trust…even when I can’t see the possibility, you have the power to win the victory.
Apply: What area of life are you trying to figure out with your strength and resources? What happens if you turn that to the Lord in prayer and ask him to figure it out with his power and his resources?
Prayer: Lord, open the eyes of my heart to see the incomparably great power that you are working in and around and through us who believe. AMEN.