This week’s devotions are based on Week 2 of the Series Ephesians: Becoming Who You Are (CLICK HERE)
Ephesians 1:19 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.
I remember a cheer from high school that went something like this:
“We have the power to…we have the power to…stomp you!”
Of course, the cheerleaders were tasked with hyping up the crowd and the team to give any sort of upper hand against the opponent they were facing.
Some games we had the power and won.
Some games we didn’t have the power and got stomped on!
When we move from the gridiron of football to the real spiritual conflicts that we face each and every day, there may be days where we feel like we have the power to stomp the enemy, only to find ourselves succumbing to the temptation we were determined to overcome. Some days we are convinced we have the power to overcome worry and doubt only to find ourselves in a bit of depression and despair. At times we may feel hopeless and powerless.
Yesterday was the prayer for hope. Today is the prayer to realize more fully the power of God that is at work in us and for us. To be honest it is hard to fully grasp and even Paul acknowledges there is nothing that compares to it…at least on this earth. So what is the extent of this power.
It is the power of God that raised Jesus from the dead, brought life from death. Sure we have drugs, electric paddles and procedures to restore a heartbeat or breathing if it stops, but when someone is dead, there is no medical technology or power that can bring that person back to life. The power of God can.
It is the power of God that seated Jesus at the right hand of the Father, the position of power and authority that far surpasses any earthly authority or spiritual authority. That is hard to grasp. Yet it is the power that makes Satan shrink. It is an authority that is higher than any earthly position of power. It is a power gives us confidence (not cockiness) to face the spiritual battles of the day with full conviction. Perhaps the “cheer” is like the psalmist of 118:6-7:
6 The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The Lord is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.
Life as a follower of Jesus is not always easy. The Christians in Ephesus would face challenges from family and friends as well as governments and authorities. The spiritual battle would be real and the temptation would be to walk away from Christ and feel like faith is too hard. Paul was passionate for them to understand and feel and realize the depth of the power of God that was at work in them. The SAME power that raised Jesus from the dead and seated him at the right hand of God was at work in them and for them.
Reader, don’t forget the same is true for you!
Apply: What spiritual battle are you facing today? How does the promise of the power of God help to face it with confidence?
Prayer: Lord open the eyes of my heart so I may see, understand and use the power that you have at work in and through me. AMEN.