WE HAVE THE GREATER POWER
2 Kings 6:16-17
16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
While flipping through the television channels last week I happened on a program that intrigued me. It was called, “Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed.” On stage was a masked magician who was showing the world how his colleagues pulled off some of the most spellbinding illusions in the world. I understood why he had to have a mask on. Like so many other people, I have always been interested in magic. I always wondered how the magicians could fool us so easily. The masked magician left no doubts.
In the lives of Christians, the devil is a master magician. We have God on our side to fight our battles (Ex 14:14). We have the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords who will protect us, yet we allow the enemy to convince us that we are helpless, weak and vulnerable. It reminds me of the situation in 2 Chronicles 32:1-22. Hezekiah was battling Sennacherib king of Assyria, who had invaded Judah. Sennacherib and his vast army had been rolling through the land conquering every nation in their path. Certainly the Israelites were fearful, but Hezekiah inspired them with these words: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles” (for the conclusion of the story read verses 20-22).
Those inspiring words should be the daily mantra of every Christian. No matter what tricks the enemy throws in your way. No matter what optical illusions he places before you. WE HAVE A GREATER POWER with us. Having this knowledge and believing in the awesome power of our unbeatable God should make every day a little easier. It should give us a new attitude about whatever stands in our way – God is the GREATER POWER.
We sometimes get frustrated, even with that knowledge, because we don’t see things happening. The situation doesn’t seem small. The opposition seems to be advancing with greater confidence. But we can’t allow our emotions or vision to trick us. All the advances of the enemy are well designed trick. The enemy is a master trickster who uses lies, smoke and mirrors, slight of hand, trap doors, hidden compartments, visual angles, untrustworthy people and our greatest fears in an attempt to fool us. But we must operate by “faith and not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). We need to use God-given wisdom to counter every trick of the enemy. We must allow the word of God and the Holy Spirit to break the enemy’s code in our lives. We must ask the Lord to “open our eyes” (2 Kings 2:17) so we might see the angels encamped around our situation, allowing us to celebrate that – Our God is the GREATER POWER.
Things may not be going as we have planned, but we have to remember that it is not our plan (Jer 29:11). God orders our steps (Prov 20:24). Know that He is putting things in place to maximize His presence in our lives. We just have to be patient (Rom8:24-25). You remember the definition of patience, don’t you?– bearing pains or trials calmly or without complaint. We must learn to keep a smile on our face and have joy no matter what we see going on around us (2 Cor 4:18) because we know something that the people in the world simply can’t comprehend – God is the GREATER POWER.
So remember that the greatest attack from the enemy is nothing more than a trick. Even the weapons formed – big, bad and loud – can’t prosper (Is 54:17). And our great God knows the secret behind every one. Every act of force from the enemy is nothing more than a fake because even Satan knows that — God is the GREATER POWER.
Be Blessed and Empowered,
Pastor Marvin Wamble
Dear Anita,
I read thru this but i have this striking query, If my path is due to a wrong decision from my end do i consider it as a action by god or was it devils action to what i succumbed to .
Pls respond
By: philip on March 2, 2008
at 3:26 am
First, let me apologize for taking so long to respond.
First, you have to remember that there is a third possibility. The path you’re on is because of your own actions. We have free will. You can make decisions without in put from God or the devil.
Some would argue that if you make a decision without God’s approval then it is, just like Flip Wilson said, “the devil who made made me do it.”
But the word of God places responsibilty for our actions squarely on our shoulders.
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)
“Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.” (Proverbs 3:31-32)
“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” (James 4:17)
We have the right to choose the Godly way, which is confirmed by the Bible. Or, we choose to do anything we want to do. Just remember, no matter what you choose there are blessings and curses attached. If you choose to do things God’s way there are blessings. If you choose to do things any other way you choose to sin.
By: Anita Wamble on April 28, 2008
at 5:40 pm