Where is the Power?

We often hear about the power of a praying wife, mother, or grandmother. You might listen to a powerful sermon. You may recognize that a certain preacher has power.

Where is the power?

It's not in what people do. It's from a source.

Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He said, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).

What was Jesus talking about? What power?

The Greek word used in this verse is dynamis, which means "force, miraculous power, ability, abundance."* It is force that comes from an inherent source. Do you see the similarity of this word with "dynamite"? It comes from the same root.

The power is in the Lord. When He gifts power to Christians, through the Holy Spirit, it is still His power. And He can do amazing things!

Yes, there's power in prayer, and there's power in a sermon, and there's power in people—but all of that power isn't in the person's prayer, sermon or the person himself. It's in the power of God that is leant to him. It's God working through him. It really doesn't have anything to do with the person except that the person is a willing vessel that God can use.

It may sound like I'm just parsing words, but it seems to me that when we hear phraseology such as:

• You are a powerful woman of God.
• You can do all things through Christ.
• Never underestimate the power of a praying wife/mother/grandmother.
• The power of God is on this preacher.
• He/she is a powerful Christian.

                 … maybe, we're misrepresenting the power.

The power comes only from God. It's His. We are mere nothings who rely totally on Him. God gives us life, health, provision, and any talents we might have. He is the Source. If He uses us, all glory goes to Him. If He answers our prayers, again, praise Him. If He gifted us and we are serving in an effective way, it's because of Him.

And, the truth is, if we want to get all puffy about our own accomplishments, that's not biblical. Consider these passages:

• But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:27-31).
• For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7)
• But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world (Galatians 6:14).
• (God) Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:21).

May we always be mindful that any power is in the Lord, and that, if God uses us in any way, we can humbly recognize that we're foolish, weak, base, and despised. For that reason, God chose to show His power through us.

But grow in grace,

and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

(2 Peter 3:18)

* from Strong's Definitions.