How can we rely on the power of God?

Answer

We frequently hear about the might of God, and the Scriptures are replete with instances of His might in action. He is described as “the great God, mighty and awesome” «Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keeps covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before you, that has come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. », (Nehemiah 9:32). We are instructed to depend on His immense power to guide us through challenges such as unemployment, a difficult divorce, financial insolvency, hostile persecutions, a debilitating sickness, or the passing of a loved one. Learning to trust in God’s power is a fundamental aspect of living a Christian life.

The apostle Paul offers us insight into the power of God when he speaks of “his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority” (Ephesians 1:19-21). The Greek term translated as “great” is megethos, which signifies “strong” or “great,” and it is only used here in the New Testament. Evidently, this term was insufficient for Paul to convey God’s immense power, so he includes the term incomparably or, in Greek, hyperballon, linked to a verb that literally means to “throw beyond the usual mark” or to “excel or surpass.” Therefore, the complete concept of the phrase hyperballon megethos is that of immeasurable power, an overflowing or surpassing power, power that is “more than enough.”

Greek scholars inform us that the term megethos being unique to this passage in the New Testament signifies the expansiveness of P.Paul’s mind was challenged when he attempted to describe the power of God. Paul was “struggling to find the words” as he endeavored to convey the power of God and infuse deeper meaning into his message. Essentially, Paul is emphasizing that God’s power surpasses everything—it is incomprehensible. God spoke the universe into being, raised Jesus from the dead, and “placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church” «and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, », (Ephesians 1:22), and His power extends far beyond any measure. Paul found it challenging to adequately convey the greatness and splendor of God, struggling to articulate his thoughts on God’s power.

How can we cultivate a reliance on the immense power of God? Firstly, we must choose to recollect the deeds of God: “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced” (Psalm 105:4-5). Each miracle documented in the Bible should serve as a source of encouragement, affirming that His strength is more than sufficient for our requirements.

Moreover, to depend on God’s power, we must relinquish trust in our feeble efforts and entrust our resources to the One capable of all things. God’s power is revealed in our weaknesses «And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. », (2 Corinthians 12:9). The disciples were perplexed trying to figure out how to feed the 5,000; it was only when they brought the small amount of food they had to Christ that the multitude was fed.

It was evident that everyone was fed. Joshua stood helpless before the walls of Jericho, but he learned to trust the Lord’s battle plan. Zerubbabel faced the daunting task of rebuilding the temple, and God reminded him that the work would be accomplished “not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit” «Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. », (Zechariah 4:6).

Prayer is a crucial part of relying on the power of God, as we pray, “Thy will be done” «And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. », (Luke 11:2, KJV). Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8). It was after a prayer meeting in the early church that “the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly” «And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. », (Acts 4:31). It was during a prayer meeting that Peter was miraculously released from prison (Acts 12).

The resurrection of Jesus certainly demonstrates the great power of God and is the great hope of all believers. Because He lives, we will live also «Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. », (John 14:19).

(John 14:19). Peter said that we have been “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away” (1 Peter 1:3-4; NASB). Regardless of what happens in this world, we possess the power of God and Jesus’ resurrection; the Lord will bestow upon us an inheritance and sustain us for eternity. “Through faith, we are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (verse 5). As Martin Luther proclaimed during the Protestant Reformation, “The body they may kill; / God’s truth abideth still.”

No matter how weak or ill-equipped we may feel at times, we can depend on the power of God. We have the assurance that God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” «Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, », (Ephesians 3:20). We are confident that ultimately God will accomplish His good in our lives: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” «And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. », (Romans 8:28).