Our Helplessness vs. God’s Strength
To describe power is like describing the wind: We can’t see it; we can see only the results of it.
You know the power of a train locomotive because you’ve watched it pull dozens of cars filled with heavy black coal. You’re awed by a lion’s massive head and muscular frame because you’ve witnessed its relentless power in pursuing its prey.
You’re also aware how helpless we all are against the power of torrential rains, earthquakes, and hurricanes – even the sun, which is millions of miles away.
While we remain helpless, God not only commands these forces, He created them. David writes in Psalm 50:1 that “the mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.” Isaiah describes God (51:15) as “the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar – the LORD of hosts is his name.”
Daniel ascribes to God wisdom and power. “He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with him” (2:20-22).
The Power of Sin
Just as we are helpless against the powers of the earth, so are we helpless against the powers of sin and death, the ultimate consequence of sin (Romans 5:12). In Romans 5:14, Paul writes: “Death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.”
But the power of God is greater than the power of sin. Whenever Jesus confronted Satan’s demons, Jesus won every time (Mark 1:34-34; 5:1-20; 7:24-30). He overcame Satan’s ultimate weapon – death – in His resurrection from the dead. In Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, he declared that It was impossible for Christ to be held in the power of death (Acts 2:24).
The Power in Us
Through the grace of God, we have access to the unseen power that stills a storm (Mark 4:39) and overcomes death (Romans 5:21). When because of our faith in the power of God over sin and death we are buried in baptism, we also are raised to live a life free from the fear of death (Colossians 2:12).
We have no power over the elements of this earth. We have no power over the destructiveness of sin. But God does.
Each time we feel helpless against an earthquake or a tornado or the withering of crops from drought and heat – let us remember that though we may not be able to overcome those forces, if we’re in Christ, sin and death have no power over us. In that we can have complete confidence.
Meditation Moments 