“…boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe…”
This quote, indeed our entire text today, is full of superlatives, as Paul struggles to comprehend and express how vast the power is that operates in the lives of true believers. It is difficult to put into words the mighty power that God uses every day in the lives of all His people. This power Paul compares to the power it took to raise the Good Shepherd from the dead.
Medical science has come a long way since people visited barbers for bloodletting in an effort to cure illness. We marvel at how surgeons can operate using small instruments inserted into the patient through tiny incisions. Surgeries that required the patient to stay in hospital after surgery for days or even more than a week now can allow the patient to go home the same day. But surgeons will never drive undertakers out of business! Resurrection power belongs to the Lord alone.
What is amazing is the fact that the power it took to raise Jesus from the dead is the same power that operates within the believer today. We are “super conquerors” (Romans 8:37) through Christ.
As Isaac Watts wrote, “The feeblest saint shall win the day though death and hell obstruct the way.”
Get up weary child of God, you are able to win today whatever Satan throws at you.
“Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10).
A mighty Fortress is our God,
A Bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is forever.
-Martin Luther
