Power! Who’s got it? Who doesn’t?
Mom vs. Pre-teen Daughter
USA vs. China
God vs. Man
So, the obvious answer to the most powerful should be God. But how many times do I think that I know best? Yikes! Do I really want to answer that question?
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In Numbers 16, a group of Israelites had become insolent and rose up against Moses claiming that Moses and Aaron had too much (self-appointed) power. Moses falls facedown and sets up a test for the all-powerful Lord to determine who is right.
“Then Moses said, ‘This is how you will know that the Lord has sent me to do all these things and that it was not my idea: If these men die a natural death and experience only what usually happens to men, than the Lord has not sent me. But if the Lord brings about something totally new, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them, with everything that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the grave, then you will know that these men have treated the Lord with contempt.’ As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, with their households and all Korah’s men and all their possessions.” (vs. 28-31)
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In Psalms 54, I read David’s prayer as he runs for his life from “powerful” King Saul. David knows where the true power lies.
“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.” (vs. 4)
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In Isaiah 6, I catch a glimpse of the magnificence and power of Almighty God.
“I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (vs. 1-3)
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And then a final “who’s the most powerful” reminder from Hebrews 13.
“Be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (vs. 5b-6)
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Almighty God,
You are the absolute definition of power, strength, might, magnificence, wisdom, honor, glory, holiness, etc.! I am humbled and convicted when I see example after example of Your power throughtout the Bible and yet fail to rely on You and instead depend upon my own supposed wisdom and false strength to get me through. Especially when times are tough and time is at a minimum, is when I need to hold on to and trust You the most. Please forgive me for my pride and self-sufficience.
– Beckie (look2thehills)
All Scripture passages taken from NIV.
Sixty-six books in a year 