The Power of the Lord

Daily Reading:  Luke 5

And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. (Luke 5.17)

Devotional Thought:  The story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof is also reported by Matthew and Mark, but Luke’s account contains an intriguing statement in verse 17. “The power of the Lord was with him to heal.”  What does that mean?  Were there times that the power of the Lord was not present to heal the sick?

We know... Wherever Jesus goes, God goes, for Jesus is God, and wherever God goes there is power, for God’s arm is not short that he cannot save.  But evidently – at least in Luke’s understanding, an understanding inspired by the Holy Spirit – there were times when God’s power was not evident.  In Matthew 13.58 it was said of Jesus, “He did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.”  Also, Paul described an interesting situation in 1 Corinthians 5.4: “When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present…”  The Corinthian congregation evidently knew of times when the power of Jesus was not present.  What makes the difference?

I believe it is faith.  Those men who brought the paralyzed man to Jesus had great faith!  "The power of the Lord to heal" is a combination of the sovereign will of God and the expectant faith of his people.  The Spirit blows where it will… (John 3).  And, like wind it is powerful.  But when it blows, we must have faith to turn into the wind and allow it to lift us.

Prayer: The mystery of God is great, O Lord.  I do not fully comprehend your power and sovereignty.  But help me, Father, to have great faith in you so that when the wind blows, I will rise and be healed!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 135.8-14

8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and of beast;

9 who in your midst, O Egypt, sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants;

10 who struck down many nations and killed mighty kings,

11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan,

12 and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to his people Israel.

13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.

14 For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.