Your Daily Devotional for August 20, 2006

 

August 20, 2006

 

The Reality of God’s Power

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” 

 

Philippians 3:7-10

 

Dr. G. Campbell Morgan was at a rest home reading the Scriptures to some elderly folks. He came across the verse in the Great Commission, which states, “Lo, I am with you alway.” Dr. Morgan commented, “Isn’t that a great promise.” A little old lady spoke up, “No, it is a wonderful reality.”

 

Now friend, it is a great time in your life when the Bible becomes more than a bunch of verses. How special it is when you see the Bible as God’s love letter, and Jesus Christ’s presence in your life becomes a reality.

 

In this passage, we see the Apostle Paul’s desire to know God powerfully. During times of suffering and trial, he wanted to see God’s power at work in his own life. Verse eight says, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.”

 

By studying the Bible, we realize that God’s power was demonstrated historically through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is what Paul was saying in Philippians, “that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”

 

As Christians, we can experience God’s power in the present. Romans 6:11 says, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” When we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we experience His power not only in saving us, but also in helping us live for Him on a day-to-day basis.

 

Have you ever asked yourself, “How do people without the Lord ever make it in life?” As Christians, we realize there is no other way to endure hardships in our own power. Jesus said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness...” Like Paul, may our response be during times of suffering and adversity, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

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