The Electricity Is Out
We had a nice snow front move in last night. Overall, it left about seven inches of snow on the ground. It was the type of snow that makes perfect snowmen, not too wet, not too powdery. I had to run out early in the morning and help my son get his car out of a ditch, like a lot of other people, the slippery roads got the best of him. While I was out, my wife texted me and told me our power had gone out. We are pretty well poor weather prepared. We heat with wood, have cell phones to call out, cook with propane, and have a pantry prepared enough so finding food is not an urgent matter. Water? We have a generator to pump a well (and run appliances) if necessary. However, when the electricity goes out, it still makes you realize how reliant we are on power today. For a few moments, let’s consider power introduced in generations past.
For some people, when they think of power, their mind turns to electricity. An image of Ben Franklin, a kite, and lightning may pop into their thoughts. However, it is believed that electrical experiments and even batteries were created thousands of years before Ben Franklin came upon the scene. Other people, when they contemplate power, may envision mighty leaders of men and nations. Perhaps Pharoah, Solomon, Nebuchadnezzar, Xerxes, Alexander the Great, or Pompey are remembered with their ability to influence, conquer, or rule? All of these men are but creations of the one and true God of all. His power created the heavens and earth. Pharoah was dominated by the power of God. Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by it. It is God who breathed into the lifeless form of man and brought him into being from the dust. No power compares to that of God. No ruler reigns except by the authority of God.
Man, living in a world powered by God, disrespected God through disobedience in the garden. God’s power was not diminished by this action, but rather it gave opportunity for the righteousness and mercy of God to be displayed (Romans 3:21-26). This was done through the offering of Jesus upon the cross for the sins of the created. This same Jesus came sharing the gospel to Israel. His apostles also shared that gospel. Last of all, the apostle Paul came sharing the mystery of that great gospel, the power to save all mankind, the Jew and the Gentile. Man did not have the power to save themselves. Only God could offer it.
Was this good news of Jesus and the apostles truly powerful enough to extend through eternity? Was it truly of God? There were some who doubted it. Yet, to confirm the Word, the Holy Spirit provided confirmation through the power of miracles, signs, and wonders (Acts 2:22, Hebrews 2:4). The sick were healed, the lame walked, the blind received their sight, rains were stopped, skies opened up, God Himself spoke from heaven, Jesus calmed the seas and walked upon the water, and Jesus became the firstfruit of the grave having spent three days and nights in the tomb. All of this is/was only possible by the mighty hand of God. Without His power, all would be dark, there would be no light, there would be no salvation.
There are certainly many images of power that man can envision, electricity, physical prowess, or influence among many possibilities. However, nothing in heaven or earth can act save by the will of God. It is God’s will which gave us the mighty Christ. It is through the man wherein deity fully dwelt that the gift of eternal salvation was/is offered. It is by the Spirit of God that the magnificent Word of salvation has been confirmed. No power, no storm, no creation above or below, no entity past, present, or future can change, delay, or divert that which God has set in motion. The light which burns bright and forever has promised and His Word is truth.