Day 11: The Omnipotence of God

“Sovereignty and omnipotence must go together. One cannot exist without the other. To reign, God must have power, and to reign sovereignly, He must have all power. And that is what omnipotent means…The word derives from the Latin [word for] almighty…and is never used of anyone but God. He alone is almighty.” – A.W. Tozer

God’s infinite power is His omnipotence. It means He can do whatever He pleases (Ps 115:3). This attribute is closely related to the Old Testament name of God, Yahweh Sabaoth, or the “Lord of Hosts (ESV).” This title emerges as Israel begins to deal with other nations and it occurs 285 times in the Old Testament, but never in the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy). Israel wanted to affirm that Yahweh was not only the God of their army but the Lord of all hosts (armies). This title affirms His glory and sovereign power. 

God can do whatever He wants. His character is good, and therefore, He cannot be unjust or lie (Titus 1:2, Heb 6:18), because His character never desires to do so, which would be a lack of power. To have all knowledge and be all-powerful, correlated with flawless character, then, means God’s power only accomplishes what is best. Rejoice in His power and will.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father, we have heard Thee say, “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” But unless Thou dost enable us by the exceeding greatness of Thy power how can we who are by nature weak and sinful walk in a perfect way? Grant that we may learn to lay hold on the working of the mighty power which wrought in Christ when Thou didst raise Him from the dead and set Him at Thine own right hand in the heavenly places. Amen.  – A.W. Tozer

Response:

Meditate on the lyrics of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”:

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper he, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe does seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same;
And he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God has willed His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo! His doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers no thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
the body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever!