TRUE POWER

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 

1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)

When my husband and I lived in Guatemala for almost 3 years, we had a period of time without regular running water and power.  Oh, the power did turn on on occasion, but if it did it was in the middle of the night and very sporadic.  This went on for 6 long weeks.  And water – we didn’t have much to speak of at our little apartment, and we would leave on a spigot in our pila in the hopes it would turn on (again in the middle of the night).

Living with out power makes life rather challenging.  Everything became a monumental effort just to get it done.  Laundry had to be done off site as we didn’t have either the water or the electricity to accomplish it.  Showers, ditto.  Even cooking and cleaning became extremely difficult.  We did not visit with one another as it was understood the burden it would place on a family to host more people.

Oh, did I mention I was pregnant at the time?  With my first.

Having lived without power in a society that depends upon power, I understand first-hand how handicapped one is.  And I am reminded every single time we lose power now (often, and usually we lose water too). One has to wait it out, do with out and get creative.

With God however, our power is limitless.  He is never out of power.  He never runs dry, out, or used up.  He is the Source of power.  And His power is available to us at a moment’s notice.  Filled to overflowing, running over the top, ready to ignite. 

How does one tap into this power?  As we read in 1 Corinthians, it is not of mere talk.  It is dynamite – which is where we get the word power from in the Greek. 

When I think of dynamite I think of destruction.  And the Kingdom of God is destroying the kingdom of darkness – we just cannot see it.  Praise God because it would be terrifying if we could.

Dynamite also makes room for something else: blowing up a cave to make room for a tunnel on a highway, for instance. It can be used for good, and it is very effective.

What about in the kingdom of God?  His power heals, fights and wins, demolishes strongholds, changes a conversation, changes a heart.  God’s power created the beginning (Genesis 1) and it continues on to this day.  He moves mountains, literally, and in our lives.

Do we recognize it?  Are we looking for it and asking God for it, thanking Him and walking in it?  If so, great.  If not, why not?  Are we walking around defeated instead of in victory?  This is exactly where the enemy creeps in, wrecks havoc and sits back watching us flounder.

As a child of God, this should not be. 

The LORD is a warrior; YAHWEH is His name.  Exodus 15:3 NLT

Since God is a Warrior, let us sit back and watch.  Let us let Him fight.  We are called to be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10) and both of these verbs are commands.  Be still means to be still, sink down, relax, let drop, be idle.  This sounds like a vacation in Hawaii or camping in our favorite spot by the lake.  Enjoying the moment, the time and the family surrounding the campfire.

To know means to experience.  With all our senses: hear Him, see Him, touch Him, smell Him, taste Him.  What a beautiful command when seen it its fullest sense.  I read a Baby Blues comic strip not too long ago, and little Hammie came walking in the house covered in mud and his sister was tattling about the mess.  His mom asked if he was playing in the mud – no, he was experiencing it.  I cut that out as a reminder of this very verse and how our walk with God should be.

Let us dive deep into God to experience Him and to know His power so we can fully walk in it and experience the victory that is already ours.

PRAYER

LORD, You are indeed, a Warrior, and even without me realizing, recognizing or thanking You, You are fighting for me. In ways I cannot see, and in ways I can. I thank You, truly. I fall behind You because You are in front, fighting. I acknowledge You and want to experience You more. I need You, Your power and I want my life with You to be one not of mere talk, but one with Your power.