Mighty In Power
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. Psalm 147:5
It is possible to be in the center of God’s will and be in a terrible storm that threatens to destroy God’s own. The wind can be boisterous, the lighting crisp, and the waves almost overwhelming. Yet it is always darkest just before the dawn. This is exactly what happened to the disciples when they obeyed the words of Jesus who told them to go to the other side. God’s word records:
Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Lord, save us! We are perishing!"
But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" Matthew 8:23-27
The Word of God tells us that a great tempest arose suddenly and the boat was covered with waves. But Jesus was asleep so the disciples awoke him and asked Him to save them as they were perishing. Jesus response was unusually for mortal men "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He rebuked the winds and the ways and there was a great calm.
It does not matter why or how a storm arises, no vessel can sink with Jesus Christ in it. But God’s true ones must keep the faith and are not to be fearful. For everything in heaven and earth must obey Jesus voice and commands. Jesus Christ does not change because a storm comes up. He is the same yesterday, today and for ever. He is mighty in power and His understanding is infinite. God’s precious ones are to despair no matter what the situation or circumstance. The road may be tedious and dark but the Light is at the end of the tunnel. They have seen the Light and are receiving from the Light who is Jesus Christ the light of the world. So they are to be sustained by the Light and walk in His beauty and wisdom. They are to be filled will all of the Light and trust His truth to guide them through. Jesus Christ is able to instruct them and lead them out into their promised land. He is able to bring them through to the other side of their hopes and dreams. They are to keep the faith as His precious children. They are not to give up as He is their Hope and assurance in the midst of many storms. This one or any other they may face and He is their loving Heavenly Father! He will bring them through to the other side.
If we examine the sudden storm which came upon the disciples, we will note that Jesus had a purpose to go to the other side. Hence the forces of darkness tried to stop the purposes of God. For God’s word records:
When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?" Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.
So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine." And He said to them, "Go." So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.
Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. Matthew 8:29-34
To Jesus the great Deliverer and Redeemer who had come to destroy the works of the devil, it was important for Him to deal with and help the demon possessed men. Mind you the demons did not like the idea. They liked to live and possess flesh. Jesus cast the demons out of the men and granted the demons request to go into the heard of swine.
It is interesting that the herd of swine did not like this idea and the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished there. Neither did the people of the region like the idea of the power that Jesus had in casting out demons and causing losses to them.
You would have thought that men were grateful that people were delivered from being possessed by demons instead of being concerned about their own prosperity and wealth. But that is humanity the physical realm is more important than the spiritual one.
Oppression or possession by demons and power of darkness are real things and not just a figment of imagination. Jesus spent as much time casting out demons as healing the sick and He also gave power to His disciples to do the same. His word is true:
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; Mark 16:17
"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:19-20
"And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. John 14:13-14
Yes, through the anointing which is in the Holy Spirit God gives to His true ones authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing shall by any means hurt them for His word is true:
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; Isaiah 43:1-5
God is always for, with and never against His true ones. He the God of all power is on their side no matter what storm, waters or fire they are going through or what mountain they have to move. He is on their side and will be do and give everything for them as they trust in Him and use His name - the name which is above every name and which stills the storms and casts out demons. We have a good example of all this in the life of faithful and praying Daniel. Daniel discerned the word of the LORD spoken through prophet Jeremiah that the seventy years of desolation’s of Jerusalem would come to an end. He set His face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes and to confess that they had sinned and committed iniquity.
Daniel acknowledged that all the disaster has come upon them because the LORD their God is righteous in all the works which He does, though His people had not obeyed His voice. He prayed that God would turn His anger and fury away from His Jerusalem, because of their sins, and for the iniquities of their fathers. Daniel stated:
"Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord's sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. "O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name."
Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, "O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. "At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; Daniel 9:17-23
The moment Daniel started to pray God sent angel Gabriel to tell him that his prayers were answered and to give him understanding about what God was going to do with Jerusalem. When Daniel prayed, just like when God’s true ones pray God hears and answers their prayers, but demons and principalities try to stop and delay the answers. So God sent His angel to Daniel who said to him:
"Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
"Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come." Daniel 10:12-14
God true ones do not have to fight with God for He is on their side. But they do have to contend with principalities, power and rulers of darkness of this age and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. For God’s word is true:
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:11-13
No matter how long the fight and how great the battle against forces of darkness victory is guaranteed and is assured. Because of what Jesus Christ had done on Calvary and the victories He had won there. For the words of Jesus are true:
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33
It is the Lord who is the great and might one in this universe and no other. His word is true:
"The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to the grave and brings up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and lifts up. He raises the poor from the dust And lifts the beggar from the ash heap, To set them among princes And make them inherit the throne of glory. "For the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, And He has set the world upon them. He will guard the feet of His saints, But the wicked shall be silent in darkness. "For by strength no man shall prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed." 1 Samuel 2:6-10
The pillars of the earth are the Lord’s and He will guard the feet of His saints. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces for by strength shall no man prevail. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth and exalt the horn of His anointed even this day. As a result He will honor His word to His true ones:
"Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. "And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you.
"You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock. "And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you.
"And you shall destroy all the peoples whom the LORD your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you. Deuteronomy 7:12-16
WALTER KAMBULOW
VICTORY MINISTRIES
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