April 22nd | The Power of God

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

THE POWER OF GOD

Ephesians 1:19-21 (I prayer that you may know) “His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” 

Today’s verse, verse 19, continues Paul’s prayer. Not only did Paul pray that the Holy Spirit would open the eyes (verse 18 – yesterday’s devotion) of his readers to Jesus as their Lord and Savior but now in today’s verse (verse 19) he prays that the readers of his letter will know through the faith they have been given the power of God. 

When referring to God’s power, Paul points them to the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning. God’s power was greater than that of death and of Satan himself. His power was manifested through Jesus’ defeat of Satan on the cross when He said, “it is finished,” and on Easter when He brought Jesus back to life. His power overcame and overpowered all the forces of evil.   

Paul, in Romans 8 writes concerning the blessing you receive because of God’s power in your life: “. . . in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39) “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57) 

Prayer: Lord, open up the eyes of my heart to see Your power over all that would separate me from Your love in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

In God, my faithful God, I trust when dark my road;  Great woes may overtake me, Yet He will not forsake me.  My troubles He can alter; His hand lets nothing falter. 

My sins fill me with care, Yet I will not despair.  I build on Christ, who loves me; From this rock nothing moves me.  To Him I will surrender, To Him, my soul’s defender. 

If death my portion be, It brings great gain to me;   It speeds my life’s endeavor To live with Christ forever.  He gives me joy in sorrow, Come death now or tomorrow. 

O Jesus Christ, my Lord, So meek in deed and word,  You suffered death to save us Because Your love would have us  Be heirs of heav’nly gladness When ends this life of sadness. 

“So be it,” then, I say With all my heart each day.  Dear Lord, we all adore You, We sing for joy before You.  Guide us while here we wander Until we praise You yonder.

(LSB 745)