But you will receive power.
Acts 1:8
On any occasion when I witness the surge and strength of a storm, I first and foremost pray for safety. But I also find myself constantly amazed at the demonstration of power. And yet, this natural power is no comparison to the spiritual power of God in the lives of His people.
Power! Did you know that the church represents God’s people indwelled with His power? I do not suggest in any way that this power represents an authoritarian presence wherein the church wields ecumenical power. Absolutely not. The church has power through the Holy Spirit, and in the witness and proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The church does not represent people who are burdened with the duty of the law, attempting to make it in human merit and strength. The church represents the name and message of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and realized through discipleship (the spiritual growth of Christians) in the name of Jesus.
The church should never shrink away as a fledging, nor should the church accept the status of simply “surviving.” Identified as under the rule and reign of Christ our Lord, the message of the church proclaims that Jesus has redeemed us, and our power comes from the Holy Spirit within us. This represents the strength of our witness and the reality of our identity as the children of God.
When Jesus said, “but you will receive power,” he did so with a “time” designation. He said, “you will receive power when,” indicating that moment when the Holy Spirit’s power would be manifested in the lives of those Jesus commissioned out, and ultimately in the life of the church (meaning in the lives of those who are the church). Among many other amazing truths and doctrines that are emphasized from this one statement of Jesus, the practical truth He stressed was that the assignment to be witnesses would not be in human strength, but in the complete power of God. This represents the foundational identity of the church today. And, in no way did God ever intend that His power could be supplemented by human efforts and intellect. So today, we are reminded to trust, lean upon, and fully rest in the promised power of God.
The power of the Holy Spirit! What an amazing promise! What an amazing reality! Today, trust His power. And, if you have difficulty with this simple reminder, if you often default to your own strength and wisdom, then consider these three simple steps: (1) pray, (2) listen, and (3) rest.
Pray. The psalmist said, “in the morning O Lord, to You I direct my prayer” (Psalm 5:3). Prayer is more than a routine religious or spiritual exercise. To pray is to direct our thoughts, feelings, and emotions to God. To pray is to direct our needs and concerns to our God who watches over us every second. To pray is ultimately to worship as we direct our praise and adoration to our loving and gracious Heavenly Father. And we pray in Jesus name, for there is no other way to direct our lives to God. So, daily pray and direct all of your heart and mind to Him.
Listen. Listen to God as He speaks to you through His Word, and through His Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “The Holy Spirit, the Counselor, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said” (John 14:26). The very truth of Jesus guides our every step if we will but listen to God’s presence, the Holy Spirit speaking into our lives. Stay in God’s Word. Learn to listen to His truth.
Rest. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you always.” God spoke in Psalm 46:10, “cease striving and know that I am God.” Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is with us. We direct our lives to God in prayer and we listen intently to Him because He is with us indeed. The more we surrender every moment to Him through praying and listening, the more our lives become aligned with Him, and the more we depend upon His presence and His POWER.
So today, do you desire to see more of His power in your life. Turn to Him daily. Direct your life to Him in prayer. Spend time in His Word listening to His voice. And rest in Him by trusting His presence with you. In this way you will find great release from your own fallible efforts and wisdom, and you will be fully and completely dependent upon God’s power.
Today, God forward in the power of the Lord.
Blessings.
