The Power Therein
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (NIV) 2 Tim 1:7
Just a few days ago, I started a Bible reading plan entitled “Embracing Grace”. A bible study I had postponed far too long. As I read and reread the first day’s scripture from Ephesians 1:15-22. I extended it to 23 anyway. Then I began praying and decided to pray each verse over my life and that of my husband. Then for a moment, I paused over the verse 19 as I began to dissect and find relations to other scriptures for the simple truth in verse 19. The power that is within us!
“Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called - his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.” Ephesians 1:15-18
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else - not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” Ephesians 1:19-23
God’s presence with us and His Spirit in us which He gave us (2 Corinthians 5:5) is power (2 Tim 1:7) and not just any power but the same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1: 20). Awesome right? This confirms His word in 1 John 4:4 – “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” Acknowledge it!
We belong to God and therefore in the face of our trials and temptations, we must understand the power that lies within us. It’s a force to reckon with no matter the nature of your storm. The disciples called on Jesus when faced with challenges, what force are you calling on? Who is your help in these trying times of your life? It’s not enough to run to God as a refuge. It’s not enough to come to Mount Zion and accept God’s sovereignty. It’s important that in addition to all these, you recognize that at Mount Zion, the strength of the living God Himself resides in you. The resurrection power lies in you. Stir it up with the Word of God. It might have been dormant for too long.
Psalm 46:4-5 BSB says “There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns”.
God resides in us and we are a city on the hill for all to see. God is within us, failure during our trials is just not an option for the believer. Let’s gird up our loins and be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). Let us always remember, as is written in 1 Corinthians 2:12 (NLT) “And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.” Amen!