For God Has the Power

Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 25

Go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy? For God has power to help or to cast down. (2 Chronicles 25.8) 

Devotional Thought:

When we moved into our new home on Johns Island, SC, we hired a local crew to help us unload the truck.  In the course of the conversation about  our new locale, I asked about a construction site a mile down the road.  One person said, "I think it's a church."  Another said, "No.  It's the power company."  I thought to myself, "Wouldn't it be cool if it was both?  What if the church was a power company?"  

It is! "For God has the power..." 

The people of Judah found themselves in a precarious position.  The nation was under threat from Syrian troops.  The young king  Amaziah had recently lost his father, King Joash, to murder.  Amaziah, sought help from the armies of Israel, hiring 100,000 warriors for 100 talents of silver.  But God was not pleased and sent a prophet to tell Amaziah to send the Israelite warriors home.  While Amaziah was relying on the power of a human army, the prophet told him, "God has the power." 

Since God had the power, the prophet gave King Amaziah simple instructions, instructions which apply to us today...

• Go.  When God gives the assignment, we need to get going.  Too often we hesitate, making the excuse that "The time is not quite right.  It will be better when..."  God says, "Go.  The time is right.  The time is now."

• Act.  We often have a tendency to be spectators rather than participants on the battle field.  It's so much easier to let someone else do it.  As yourself, "If not me, who?  If not now, when?  If not this, what?"

• Be Strong.  Can we make ourselves strong?  Yes!  By prayer and being filled with the Holy Spirit!  For God has the power!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that you have the power!  Your power put the galaxies into motion.  Your power raised our Lord Jesus from the dead.  There is nothing you cannot do.  So, help me to go... to act... and to be strong...  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 78:50-55

50 He made a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death, but gave their lives over to the plague.

51 He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.

52 Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

53 He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

54 And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won.

55 He drove out nations before them; he apportioned them for a possession and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents.