S128P1 – That which lies within: power
Eph. 3:16-19
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
We used to play that video game for hours on end. I was never very good at it, but that did not stop me. If I died one time too many, I would just start over again. It was like an addiction, because I knew the game could be beaten even if it only frustrated me. For every star I found, I would have a short window of ultimate power. I was almost invincible. I could confront any enemy, any weapon, any physical danger and keep going. Absent falling off land and into the bottomless abyss, that power was unfailing, but there was a problem. That power was only temporary. It caused a great change but not one that would last. Once that window of time closed, I was as vulnerable as ever.
There are several characteristics that distinguish the power we receive from God to any earthly power we might earn or be given. First, God’s power is neither temporary nor limited. We can rely on it because it does not fail and has no season. Second, and certainly related, the transformation that comes from his power also is lasting. It allows Christ to dwell in our hearts not for a moment of belief but in perpetual faith. It allows us to understand his love not just now but always. This gives us boldness that does not arrive at a certain level and remain there. As our faith and understanding of the Lord grow, so does our boldness in walking in his power, and that is the true goal.
The power that God gives us to carry us through this life does not come in a flash with a bang. This is not about a moment. When we experience and walk in God’s power, it should prompt us to seek more. We know that He has no limits, so there is always more of everything we receive from him. The amazing thing is that He wants us to have more. He wants to fill us with more power and teach us how to walk with greater impact in the world. He wants us to go well beyond step one and seek more and more of this indwelling power. Father, give us a desire to be filled more and more with your power, and to walk with greater spiritual impact daily.