47. Power - I
Power is having the ability and capacity to do something.
Power means having force, also influence, control or authority over things.
There is a military force as in the army.
We need power to generate electricity, which in turn produces energy.
Power controls our lives in many ways.
The word power is used in many different ways, and there are different things that are needed to produce power:
an electric generator produces watts for the bulbs and for electric equipment, like a power drill;
oil wells produce the necessary material to run engines in cars;
gas provides the power to use gas appliances, such as cookers and gas fires.
Now we have a look at man-power:
If we think of man-power we straightaway think of human bodily strength or, if you like, our own everyday human strength. God tells us to look after our bodies/temples; if we are to have this human power we need to take steps to help ourselves by doing certain things.
We need to take care of the bodies that we have by treating these properly, and not neglecting ourselves.
We need nourishing food naturally as well as spiritually.
We need to have a substantial diet to give our bodies what it needs to function properly.
If we neglect our bodies, then this is a sure way for Satan to step in and bring sickness on us.
Then there is daily exercise which is needed to keep our bodies in trim. Some are prone to letting their bodies get out of shape, due to over-eating and/or lack of exercise.
There are those that punish their bodies by abusing them with too much exercise. Some become athletes, and so keep their muscles and body in trim. There are such things as exercises to build a more powerful body, like weightlifting, swimming and other outdoor activities.
We need this type of power to keep us going.
Power is needed for plants and trees to grow.
We put a little seed into the ground. Then, with food and water, we see things grow by natural force from the ground. The ground itself needs looking after. We see this as we watch a farmer working in the field at different times of the year; it begins with the preparation of the ground, then the sowing, then the reaping, followed by the fruit.
We are now looking at:
God’s power to create and heal, etc.;
Power in the Blood of Jesus;
Power in the Name of Jesus;
Power in God’s Word
Power as a tool against the enemy.
We see there is an influence of power:
Jer. 5:14 - devouring flame - Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of hosts: “Because you have spoken this word, behold, I am making My words in your mouth fire…..” We get inspiration from the Word of God.
Ezek. 37: 7 - life giving force - So I prophesied, as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. Here we see obedience.
Rom.1:16 - saving power - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to every one who believes….. Here we see and can know the call to salvation; this invitation is for everyone.
Eph. 6:17 - defensive weapon - And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. These are spiritual weapons, which can be used with great power against the enemy.
Heb. 4:12 - probing instrument - For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Here we have a spiritual sword, which pierces and exposes sin in our lives; it searches out the truth and reads our hearts.