God’s Power – Man’s Weakness

The past number of my writings have been centered on the emotional side of life. I would like us now to remove the focus from ourselves and our problems and turn it away and upwards to God.

The above verse seems to capture our attention and depict our problems. It is our tendency to get caught up with the bad things which have happened in our lives; overshadowing everything and possibly everyone. However, that may be because we are focused on our problems and the evil which has befallen us. I have no desire to belittle anyone’s problems they have experienced in life. They are real and their affects in our lives are real. Sometimes we feel lost and powerless in them. Apparently, the Psalmist had some of the same feelings when he wrote this verse.

For quite some time, David fled as an animal to the hills living the life of a fugitive trying to escape a jealous king Saul. No doubt he wondered about the anointing he had received from the prophet Samuel, and if he would ever be able to fill the place God had called him to fill. Perhaps he saw the pursuit of the king like the green bay tree of evil, large and encompassing, growing and prospering. If we were to read only that single verse, we could also conclude that evil was indeed strong, powerful, and unconquerable; much like our personal problems seem to us. Now let’s view that verse in context, of the way David saw it. Psalms 37:34-40 KJV 34 Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. 35 I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36 Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. 37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. 38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. 39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. 40 And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Do we notice the difference that takes place when we view that verse with those around it? He is saying that although he saw the evil, as a tree, big and strong, it was no match for the power of God. He then lifts out the judgment God has for the wicked and the promise of power over evil for the man who trusts Him. This is possible for us as well, when we shift our focus from the evil, and heartache in our lives, to the power of God over evil. Now he may have been referencing actual evil men, however I would like to apply it to the battle within our hearts and minds; the negative and bad things which drag us down. Paul writes and says: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 KJV 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

This ongoing battle within our minds is real and sometimes almost beyond our ability to stop, or so it seems. However, if we focus on our “green bay tree” troubles, we may be limiting the ability for God to work His miracle of power. I am reminded of Elijah fleeing before an angry Jezebel. He found himself on the mountain where God did a demonstration for him. There was the wind, the earthquake, and the fire, but He was not in any of these things. Then God spoke in a still small voice and Elijah knew immediately that it was God speaking. 1Kings 19:11-13 KJV 11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not int the earthquake;  12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? Surely, Elijah must has thought, this wind must be of God because it is so strong. Then surely, he must be in the earthquake, only God could make something like that happen. Possibly, he thought the same for the other radical things going on outside the cave. But then when all was still God spoke. Although God had caused or allowed those earthly elements to put on a show of their strength, He was in the quiet afterwards. Still there, and still interested in Elijah. He wanted him to know that though the world may be turbulent around him; people hating him, while he fled in fear; He, God, is unmoved and unchanged. He possibly also wanted to remind Elijah that though He could cause the fire to fall from heaven and consume an offering, he would be found in a quiet gentle voice. Satan seems to come like an overpowering flood, with pressure, fear and unrest. On the contrary, God speaks to our hearts, in quiet gentleness, inviting us to trust Him.

A year or so ago we cut down a tree beside our house, leaving a stump about four feet high. When we cut the tree, we attempted to push it over, but only succeeded in splitting the stump, down to the root. One day my wife told me she would like to see that stump removed. It had been a year or so since it had been cut, so I thought perhaps the root had rotted enough, that I may be able to pull it out with the tractor. With the height of the stump to give leverage, as well as the tree not having been large in diameter to begin with, I thought it would be worth a try. I first hooked on to the smaller side of the split stump, and quite easily pulled it out. However, the other part of the stump had quite a bit more roots firmly anchoring it in the ground. After pulling and jerking in all directions with the tractor, I finally gave up when the chain broke. I could see the soil loosened all around it, but to no avail. That evening I decided to build the fire for our hotdog roast next to this stump, thinking we could possibly burn it out. I put the wood next to the stump and lit the fire, and sure enough the stump soon began to burn. I kept piling the wood around it and succeeded in burning it out. What brut force was incapable of accomplishing, fire was able to do almost without effort on my part.

This is much like our problems. We often try by force and herculean efforts to change our lives, the things around us, and the effects of what has happened to us, but without success. Could it be that we have failed to use the fire of God; allowing Him to burn those problems out? Deuteronomy 4:24 KJV For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Often in the Bible the power of God is depicted with fire. The fire of God fell from heaven, burning up Elijah’s sacrifice, including the water and stones. 1Kings 18:38 KJV Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

In a natural sense if fire is hot enough, nothing can withstand it. Steel turns to molten puddles, glass melts, and water turns to vapor. With a strike of a match, we can start a forest fire, or burn down something that took men years to build. On the other hand, fire keeps our houses warm, powers our cars, and cooks our food. Fire is very useful as well as destructive, depending on how it is used. The fire of God’s love can warm our hearts with His comfort, or purify our hearts as heat purifies gold, making us better able to serve Him and others.

I am not thinking of God as a punishing fire, He can be, but as a power that is able to accomplish great things in our lives. It would not be strange when we allow the fire of God to come into our lives, that we may feel both its warmth and comfort, as well as it’s cleansing effect. When we see the power of God at work, it brings a sense of awe and wonder. God is able to work miracles if we can look to Him, just as the Children of Israel looked to the serpent on a pole and lived. Numbers 21:9 KJV And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Someone asked me the question one day, why God did not just heal them? Asking the question of “why” is a normal human reaction which no doubt many of us have asked in life. We know that God is able to do anything, our very lives are in His control so why doesn’t He just fix my problems, if He wants me to serve him? We may also grapple with thinking that our prayers are not being answered because I am still struggling; after all, “have I not made a commitment to serve God?” I cannot answer these questions, but this I do know, this individual found rest and comfort in Him. They said that during their time of prayer and reading His word, the Lord revealed to them that He was with him down in his mess and struggle. Often this is where we will find Him. Could it be we are looking to high? Are we so intent on healing, that we fail to realize that God is walking beside us, saying, “My Grace is sufficient for thee?” It is good to have confidence in God that He is able to heal us, but remember that  we do not see the big picture of His Grace for our trials.

Years ago we visited with an elderly grandpa about his Christian life. It seemed that he, having lived for the Lord for so many years, had no temptations; it was almost like he was on autopilot. Later visiting with him about it, his testimony was that he had overlooked the Lord in the small things of life; the Lord brought this verse to his mind. Zechariah 4:10a KJV For who hath despised the day of small things? Are we also tended the same way? We look for miracles out there somewhere, not realizing that God is in the little things in life. He is in the sunshine and rain, the flowers and pain, the poor and the gain.

Sometimes we may have a tendency to view Christian life as doing good things, going to church, reading the Bible and praying. These are all good, part of serving God. However, this alone can be an empty ritual if we view God as some distant Being, holding up a hammer to smash us as soon as we are not good enough. This view can be a perception formed in our mind from the past, which can prevent us from entering into the heart of God. When we understand the true heart of God, it’s like the testimony of this person who found that Jesus would be along side him in his trials and tests. This does not mean He condones sin, but when He sees the sincerity of our hearts, our helpless need, He will come through and be there for us.

Another individual once told me that they had a problem feeling a relationship with Jesus. But they said, “I have seen Jesus working through those around me.” It may be that you may have difficulty feeling a relationship with the Lord. But do not be frustrated. Look for Him in those around you, in the promises of His Word. Listen for the song that comes to your heart in the midst of the storm, and the verse in the Bible that means something to you; and you will be seeing Him. Not with literal eyes of course, but with our inner spiritual eyes.

You can wish for miracles like we read of in the Bible, the parting of the Red Sea like the Children of Israel experienced; and I will tell you of similar miracles. You may not cross the Red Sea or walk on water, but that power can: remove a burden of sin, give your heart a song, and change the way you think about yourself. It can bind fear and give freedom, it can take the most broken heart and pour in healing streams, allowing the heart to sing. This power can reach you in a submarine in the shadowy depths of the sea, just as well as in the far reaches of outer space. In the airplane, in car, in the most deplorable and depressing places you can imagine. The only limitation is us.

He may not save your life, but He can save your soul. He may not immediately dry your tears, but He will weep alongside you. Your circumstances may not change, but He will be with you no matter what circumstances you face.

Why? Because He is God; unlimited, matchless, and unbelievably full of love. We will not be able to fully understand it on this earth. But He gives you and me a taste of it, and that is enough to make us want more.

One more thing before we go. Because of past experiences, you may have procured a jaded view of God. About now you may be saying, “Yeh, right, it works for you, but not for me!” If that is how you feel about God, my heart goes out to you. In your heart you may be saying, “He does not care about me, I am worthless, too insignificant for Him, my situation is different, and I’m too tired.” These reactions may be completely normal for someone who has experienced what you have. People who experience terrible things in life often have difficulty understanding why it happened and assuming they must have done something to deserve it, altering their view of a kind loving God. I too have asked the question, “why? Why did it happen to me, to my family!” God has not given me a clear answer, other than that we live in a sinful world and bad things happen. I do not say this flippantly or lightly; good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people. However, though a time to question  “why” is part of a grieving process from the past it rarely will help you move forward in the future. God’s ways are past finding out; perhaps one day we may see more clearly. To stay in this place limits the power of God. Can not the one who created everything including you, not also give power to change our hearts? Jesus Himself suffered at the hands of evil men.

Some days discouragement may overwhelm us, and we feel like all is lost, we’re tired and want to give up. The disciples were also tired after fishing all night yet not catching a thing. They had just experienced the death and resurrection of their Lord, and we can imagine they were emotionally tired and wondering about the future. They had finally decided to go fishing, only to be completely discouraged, by failing to catch a thing. Tired and weary they decided to call it a night. They did not even know where Jesus was. However, Jesus knew where they were and went to them calling out to them in their distress. When they obeyed Jesus’s command to cast on the right side, they were astounded at the number of fish they caught. See John 21. Had they not tried once more at His command they would not have experienced the miracle.

You may not know where Jesus is in your troubles, but He knows where you are, and perhaps even now is calling out for you. He may be telling you to try one more time, to see His wonders. Get out your Bible and seek out those promises; it will do something for you!

You are incredibly special to Him! He delights in you!

Joh 11:33-44 KJV 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Malachi 3:10 KJV Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

The Unlikely Writer – Jeff Goertzen

4/25/23