Resident Power

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 

(Ephesians 6:10, NKJV)

Life’s journey is long and there are times we are down in valleys while other times we are up on the mountain tops.  I observe that the stage and experience we have at any given time tends to consume our thoughts and feelings, so that all we see is the moment we are in.  If it is a great time of success, happiness, hope, all positive, we relish it and want to dwell there.  It is a wonderful thing to experience fulfillment, peace and joy; these are the moments that we are on the mountain top and we look down with gratitude in our hearts.  There are other moments when we are down in valleys where we experience anxiety, fear, worry and a sense of being overwhelmed.  When in these situations it is also possible to feel exhausted and defeated deep within and the escape from the moment of pain and negativity seems lost.  If you are in such a situation, take heart, you are not alone, look up with expectation for a new dawn. 

This human experience of defeat brings us face to face with our frailty and weaknesses, something that we do not like to confront.  King David experienced such moments and he encourages us with the message that though our flesh and heart may fail, God is our strength and portion forever (Psalm 73:26).  We do not deny the moments of weakness but we look at the situation and accept that by ourselves we are weak, but glory to God who is our strength.  We have an assurance of His power working in our lives when we lean in on Him.  Our Lord Jesus invited us to give Him our burdens in exchange for His rest (Matthew 11:28).  This is not just a statement in the bible, but is a reality that we can experience knowing that Jesus is our high priest who empathizes with our weaknesses for He was tempted in the same way, He understands it all (Hebrews 4:15). Beloved, when we receive with faith the promises of God’s help in our lives, we can then appreciate Apostle Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesians to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might as in our reference verse.

There is a revelation that Apostle Paul had of God and His ways, and his writings often call us to a deeper level of intimacy with God.  He invites us to know God and the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10).  This seeking to know God more makes him admit that he continues to pursue the goal for which Christ took hold of him (Philippians 3:12), the revelation of this power compels him to keep pressing on regardless of the valleys in his path.  As I reflected on this pursuit amidst the challenges of life, I was reminded of the word, that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or imagine according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20).  Beloved there is power that works in us, power that is able to do more than we can ask or imagine.  Power that is able to overcome the circumstances and challenges that we face.  This encouraging verse also carries a point of reflection, the power working in us, it is not just any other power but the power of God at work.  God’s power in us gives us the confidence to do all things (Philippians 4:13).  The secret is in establishing the power at work. God has given great power to us who believe through the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:19) and that is our inheritance in faith.  In the circles of life, may we find God’s power sufficient for He surely is able to handle our issues.  Maranatha singers reminded us that God is able to handle everything that concerns us, may we reach out and rest in His power which is resident in us. It is not by our power but by His power that we overcome our daily battles.

Thoughts:

What is the power at work in you?

Where do you go to when overwhelmed?

How has God’s power in you manifested?