God’s Power

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Psalm 59:16 Sing Of God’s Mercy

But I will sing of Your power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; for You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. Psalm 59:16

Mercy is something that people seek when they are caught having done something wrong. It is desired because they do not want to have the punishment that is due them inflicted upon them. Yet, when someone does something wrong to a person, that person does not want to show mercy, but wants vengeance to the full letter of the law.

As David was being threatened to be killed by Saul, he sings of God’s power and mercy because God has been his defense and refuge in the days of trouble.

It is easy to desire vengeance when someone has done something wrong. One wants as much punishment on the wrong doer as possible. It gives a person a sense of satisfaction at vengeance having been accomplished.

At the same time, most people forget about the wrongs that they have done. These are not only the wrongs done against other people, but also the wrongs done against God.

From the very first moment a person does something wrong (sin) against God, one is deserving of eternal punishment in the harshest way possible. Satan and the world is standing against the person with accusation of that sin.

Yet, God in His great love and mercy, is willing to stand in one’s defense and remove that sin instead of judgement and death. Jesus paid the price for the sin for those who believe in Him and trust Him. God defends the believer against the accuser and becomes one’s refuge or safe place in the day of trouble and accusation.

The moment the believer knows and understands this, one will sing aloud of His great power and mercy for all the world to hear.

God, in His great love and mercy has been willing to have mercy upon you and remove all sin and guilt in your life and defend you against your enemies. As the world stands to condemn you of sin, God removes that sin and gives you life, defending your belief in Jesus.

Be willing to sing out loud of the mercy that God has shown you. Let the world know of His great power in removing sin and becoming a refuge in this fallen world of trouble and death.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s hand of mercy upon your life; that you will know God’s great power in your life; that you will sing of God’s mercy for the world to hear; and that God will be your refuge in days of trouble.

Picture by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

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Psalm 44:3 Only By God’s Power And Hand

For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them. Psalm 44:3

Everyday people are doing many different things. Most feel that what they are doing is by their own ability and strength. Some will give a little credit to others for their support in accomplishing some tasks, but most think it is their own work. When things occur outside their abilities, then it is often seen as good luck.

Some of the sons of Korah are remembering what God has done for the Israelites. They remember that they did not gain possession of the land or save themselves by their own abilities, but by the right hand and arm of God because of His favor.

When someone does something it is easy to think that it is done by one’s own power, strength or ability. Very seldom can one physically see someone or something else making the action possible. Mankind believes that they are able to do anything and everything that they want as long as they have the will power, determination and strength to go for it.

Believers can sometimes fall into this same frame of thinking that they did something on their own, forgetting that God has given them the ability or that it was done by His power. God has given the believer His Holy Spirit to give one strength, wisdom and ability to accomplish great things.

Most believers today will never need to take over a physical land, but every believer needs to take back spiritual land: the hearts of those who are lost, overcoming addictions, overcoming sins, destroying the works of the devil, bringing about healing and salvation of bodies and souls, and much more. These are all done by God’s power and favor.

God has worked in your life to give you strength and abilities not your own. He will work through you to accomplish His mission here on this earth.

Do not let personal pride get in the way and think that the things you have done was by your own abilities. Give God the praise and glory for what He has done in and through you. Everything done is by His powerful arm and favor, not yourself.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s hand at work in your life; that you will see God’s favor upon your life; and that you will know God’s power working through you to take back the spiritual lands around you.

Picture by John Reed on Unsplash

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Ephesians 6:10 Be Strong In His Power

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

Men love to have strength. Many will work out physically to build up their strength and to look strong. They want to be able to do the impossible on their own.

While many are able to build their strength up to amazing levels, most are not able to do it. And even with great strength, there is often many shortcomings in their strength and abilities. No matter how strong someone is, there is usually someone who is stronger that comes along.

After Paul gave some practical instructions to the believers on how to live as a believer, he gives some final thoughts. He tells them that after all of this, they are to be strong in the Lord and in His power.

While it feels great to have great strength, a person’s strength and abilities will often come to an end. There is only so much that a person can do until they begin to fail or fall short.

No one wants to hear that they don’t have the strength to do what needs to be done, they want to be in control of their own lives. However, as a believer, one is not in control of his own life. And he realizes that he does not have the strength needed to accomplish ever task set before him.

People get tired and wear out or burn out when they do things on their own.

Believers are to get their strength from God. God has infinite power and strength that He offers to everyone who trusts in Him. As God calls a person to a task, He will provide everything that a person needs to accomplish it. This means He will give the strength and power to do what needs to be done.

God may have called you to what looks and feels like an impossible task. You may be feeling overwhelmed and worn out from the task, with no strength to continue.

Look to God for your strength. Find joy in the salvation that He has blessed you with. That joy will tap into the eternal strength and power of God, giving you all that you need to keep moving forward in completing the tasks He has given you.

Do not rely upon your own strength and abilities, but upon God’s strength and abilities.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will know the strength of God in your life; that you will know the power of God in your life; that you will rely upon God for needed strength and power; and that God will do great things through you.

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Daniel 2:27-28a Not Taking Credit

Standing by a window

Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Daniel 2:27-28a 

The desire to have the right answer or have the ability to meet the need for others is great in most people. They want to be able to say that they can give what is needed out of their own abilities and strength.

Very few people like to admit that they do not have the right answer or lack the ability to do something. It makes them look weak and incompetent, so they will often make up something to try to meet the need, whether it is right or wrong.

The king had had a dream and wanted someone to tell him what the dream was and what it was about. If no one could do that, he would kill everyone. He was told about Daniel being able to do that. Daniel tells him that only God can give that answer.

In themselves, no believer really has the ability to do anything. Their power, strength and wisdom come from God.

The world will have questions to problems that they do not know how to answer or deal with. They are seeking answers, that only God can give. Some believers will give the answers in their own abilities or give the answer God has, and will take the credit for it, rather than give God the credit.

God has given His Holy Spirit to guide believers and give them wisdom. When a believer speaks, it should be with the wisdom and words of God, and then he needs to let the world know it is God’s word, not his own.

There will be times when someone needs help or guidance.  At these times seek God’s direction for that situation. God will guide you in what to say or do to help that person out. As you do this, do not take the credit for yourself. Give the credit to God for what He has allowed you to do.

Doing this points people towards God and takes the focus off of you. God is the only one who can give the perfect answer each and ever time. Allow God to work through you, but also give Him the credit. Without Him, you can do nothing.

I pray today that you will be filled with God’s Holy Spirit; that you will be guided by God’s Spirit; that you will give God credit for what He does trough you; and that you will allow God to use you to help others.