‭‭Is God's Power For You Or Against You?

Sunday, March 1

Psalm 147:15-18‬ ‭(NKJV‬‬)

“He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast? He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.”

Devotion

As we consider God's power and how followers of Jesus can benefit from that power through short prayers, the temptation is always to think that power will benefit us, because people often think God is on their side even when their wickedness places them at odds with God's righteousness, God's purposes, and God's people. We do well to recall the explicit conditions placed on benefiting from God's power in Psalm 147:6: “The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.”

Humility manifests in prayer, in thanksgiving, in praise, in obedience, and in considering the needs of others as more important than our own. Wickedness and pride manifest in religious showmanship and disobedience. The concern of the wicked is more about looking good than being good.

Consider the repentant thief on the cross. He confessed he was getting what his deeds deserved, but that Jesus had done nothing wrong. In his powerful short prayer, he confessed before men his expectation of Jesus' resurrection and coming kingdom, and in audacious humility he asked a man being put to death next to him to “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

We are like the repentant thief when we take up our cross daily and crucify our sinful nature. We are like the unrepentant thief when we call out for salvation, more demanding proof than expressing complete trust: “Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

When God unleashes his icy blast, releases his storehouses of snow, or raises Jesus from the dead, there are winners and losers. To be sure all things work together for our good in these moments, we must be sure we are loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Father, You are powerful over all creation. Forgive me for the pride that keeps me from fully trusting You. Make my heart humble before You. Like the repentant thief, I confess my need for Your mercy and place my trust in Your kingdom. Let Your power work in me and for me as I walk in obedience and love. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Choose humility today so God’s power works for you, not against you.

Practical ways to do this today:

  • Before asking God for help, examine your heart,  is there pride or disobedience you need to confess?
  • Practice one intentional act of humility (serve someone quietly, apologize first, or give thanks instead of complaining).
  • When you pray, focus less on demanding outcomes and more on expressing trust in God’s character.
Resources
  • It’s Sunday! Join us at 9AM or 11AM for an incredible service with special guest Charlotte Gambill! Tune in live on the app, YouTube, live.freechapel.org, or Facebook, we can’t wait to worship with you!