Why do we believe that we are our own possession? How does the idea of freewill come into our relationship with God? Do we really have any ability to impose our own will? There are many varied moments where I believe that I can do anything but as I read Psalm 24 I am reminded that I am ill-equipped for this life. Everything in all the vast creation that surrounds us belongs to the Lord because He made it all.The only trait we display wholeheartedly is our collective desire to rebel, sin and worship idols. How can anyone get the clean hands and pure heart mentioned in Psalm 24:4 so that we may ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place? How can we be made holy when the bar is set completely out of our reach?
Tag Archive - God’s Power
Approach the King of glory and find rest for your soul: Psalm 24
Stop striving and trust God: Psalm 23
How often have you read a devotional or heard a sermon explaining Psalm 23? I have read a few books that use the six verses as their foundation. When a piece of scripture is so frequently discussed by so many people, do we more easily take the words contained in the scripture for granted? Take time to rediscover the truth that is contained in Psalm 23 by only using your Bible as you meditate on these glorious truths. Take time to ask questions about the text and meditate on how you are effected. Continue Reading…
Grace is the help and hope we desire: Psalm 17
Why do we fear the evil of this world that sows destruction throughout the world? How often do we incorrectly grant power and authority to Satan as we think of his effect on mankind? We are deceived into thinking that power rests with Satan but in truth all power resides in, through and from God alone. Satan has no authority unless it is granted by God. How can we not be in awe of the power of God when we realize the sheer might that He can wield. Continue Reading…
Out of thankfulness the burden is removed: Psalm 9
How often do you place the burden of maintaining your faith in God upon your own shoulders? What role do we play in our salvation? Is there anything that God needs from us to accomplish one iota throughout all creation? When we lose the awe and wonder of God we lose the uniqueness of our own existence. I love how Psalm 9 does not demanding anything of God or elevating man’s position but proclaims an overwhelming thankfulness to God for the help and aide he grants to the oppressed and weary. Look back on your life and remember the moments that God aided you in your distress. How did you feel? Continue Reading…
The greatness of God brings hope in trouble: Job 25 and 26
What is the difference between the views presented by Bildad and Job? What are they both saying in Job 25 and 26? Both men are speaking about how power and might of God. If you stop the comparison between these two men at this point you are missing an important key. When Bildad speaks to Job in chapter 25 the emphasis is on man and how he is so inferior to God. I’ll agree that God is infinitely supperior to man but are these words of comfort to someone in Job’s situation? With God being so great man is truly worthless and unable to be made just before God doesn’t bring comfort. Continue Reading…
Men, arise and take up the burden of leadership: Nehemiah 3 and 4
As you read through stories in the Bible do you find yourself ignoring the chapters with long lists of names? It can be daunting to sift through all of the people listed that you can barely pronounce. In Ezra chapter 3 we have this exact issue of many names but I encourage you to take time to read through these names looking for details about the wall being rebuilt in Jerusalem. I’ll be honest that I was tempted to generalize the people that were rebuilding the wall but there is much more to be gleaned from the texts than the assumption that the wall was just rebuilt. What were these men thinking as they completed the work? Continue Reading…
Tools perfected in the hand of God: 2 Kings 5 and 6
Do you place any requirements on your ability to serve God? Do you need assurance that there will be many people, a lot of danger, a great distance between you and home, or a difficult task before you are willing to be a tool of God? How often do you think of the renown that you get in your service at church, the soup kitchen, or the mission field and wish you were recognized more for your work?
The man Naaman in 2 Kings chapter 5 was a man of renown within the armies of Aram because God had used him as a tool, a valiant warrior and captain, to bring about a great victory. This man of renown within the Aramean society was also an outcast because he was a leper. Can you imagine how this man hurt because he couldn’t live a normal life let alone enjoy the renown of life that God had granted him? Continue Reading…
Total insurmountable super-sufficiency in Jesus Christ: 1 Kings 21 and 22
The vanity of Ahab and Jezebel is evident in the importance they place on owning a vineyard to plant vegetables. The man Naboth was only seeking to follow God’s command forbidding him from giving the inheritance of his father to Ahab. The scheming of Jezebel leads to the stoning of Naboth all for a plot of land to plant a garden. It is sad when people claim that they have the right to do whatever they choose without concern for the people they hurt in the process. How would you feel if Ahab were in control of your country? Do people in leadership have absolute power or absolute responsibility? When people become so infatuated by the sinful lives they lead the bondage becomes so strong that the door to freedom can only be opened by God. Continue Reading…
The Lord He is God and His power reigns over idolatry: 1 Kings 17 and 18
In 1 Kings 17 Elijah a prophet of the Lord proclaims to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 1 Kings 17:1 After these words Elijah follows heads away from Ahab and hides in the wilderness. Was Elijah concerned about having his needs met since he just prophesied a drought in the land? Did Elijah have the faith to trust that God was going to supply his needs. God proves Himself faithful as he sends ravens to bring Elijah bread and meat twice daily. Can God supply your needs? Do you need a road map to take a step of faith? Elijah didn’t know what was going to happen next but he trusted that God would supply for his needs as he followed Him. Continue Reading…
