Last night we had friends come for a bar-b-q. About 8 pm, the power went off.
No matter, we were outside enjoying the light of the full moon and the outdoor lights, which were 12v. It wasn’t until everyone went home and we went inside that we had to begin using alternate sources of power. The electric heaters didn’t work so we switched on the gas heat. The water heater had been operating on electric and so there was enough hot water to do up the dishes but it did pose a question about our morning showers if the power stayed off.
I always get the coffee ready at night so I can turn it on when I get up. I filled the coffee maker but I also filled the stove-top percolator in case I needed to make coffee the old-fashioned way. My computer battery was fully charged, no problem there and our signal booster is 12v so that would be operational.
About 11 pm, I woke to the electric clock flashing. Power had been restored!
The Bible is filled with stories of God’s power being displayed in the earth. Each story had a specific purpose which demonstrated God’s love and holiness. But, such displays were isolated and temporary, then the power would go out until the next occasion. Until Jesus!
His was a life of daily demonstration of the love and power of God. Everywhere He went, everything He did, He was God in action. The miracles, the messages, the compassion, the selflessness were demonstrations of God’s power. His life was the power of the Holy Spirit moving in concert with God’s plan and Jesus’ obedience.
“About that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 As soon as Jesus came out of the water, he saw the sky open and the Holy Spirit coming down to him like a dove. 11 A voice from heaven said, “You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you.” Mark 1:9-11 CEV
He had told his disciples in one sermon that they would be light which would shine in the darkness.
“ and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. 16 Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:15-16 CEV
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jesus commissioned his disciples, us included, to be His witnesses in the earth. As He was getting ready to leave earth, his disciples were concerned about political power. Jesus told them, that’s not for your concern. You need to be filled with spiritual power so you can change the world the way I have.
“While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?” 7 Jesus said to them, “You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8 But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.” 9 After Jesus had said this and while they were watching, he was taken up into a cloud.” Acts 1:6-9 CEV
Once the Holy Spirit filled them with power they changed the world with the message of Christ.
Do you ever feel that somehow your power’s been cut? You’re operating on alternative power? The promise of the Holy Spirit infilling our lives and giving us the power of God holds for us today.
There is no clearer promise for us to take to heart that what the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength”.
No need to be concerned about a power shortage when we have a direct line to the Omnipotent Father.