Devotions this week based on the Message: “Fear or Faith?”
Have you ever underestimated the power of something?
Taken a car for a test drive and pressed the accelerator and surprised at the power the engine produced?
Stepped into the breaking waves of the ocean only to lose your balance as the water receded?
Fixing an electrical outlet and forgot to turn the breaker off?
Power is impressive.
As destructive as a tornado can be – it’s impressive.
As deadly as a nuclear bomb can be – it’s powerful.
As large as a container ship is – it can move a lot of things.
Power is all around us.
We use it every day. We rely on it. We depend on it.
But perhaps the power we forget about is the power God has and brings to our disposal.
The power of his word that said, “Let there be…” and there was!
What would take years to grow or decades to develop…God spoke into existence.
The power to raise the dead to life.
What would take years of medical study, millions of dollars to develop, and still a patient dies, God has the power to raise to life.
The power to calm the raging waters and the blowing winds.
What we can think we can alter with emissions control and other manmade policies, Jesus controls with three words: “Quiet. Be still” (Mark 4:38)
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
“Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
In that moment, Jesus showed who he was and the power his words have. Even the wind and the waves have to obey his words!
How many times do we try to figure things out with our own minds, our own abilities and our own power? How long does it take to admit defeat and turn to God and say, “I give up? You need to fix this”?
Too long, right?
Why not start with relying on the power of God and the power of his Word!
Perhaps this promise from 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. 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, created the world, and is in the Word of God, is at God’s disposal to use for your blessing and benefit. Rely on it!
Apply: What have you been trying to do or figure out on your own? Ask God to use his power to fix the issue, give you the wisdom, or change the situation…see what he does. Whatever it is will be a blessing!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your power that is over the wind and the waves and you use to bless your children. Help me to rely on you more than on me. Amen.