DOES GOD HAVE POWER IN RESERVE?

I recently listened to a prophecy based on the political slogan, “Rise Mzanzi”, and on the recent damaging storms around the South African coastline. The speaker, convinced that she was speaking for God, declared that God is about to show His power to South Africa.

Now, does God have more power up His sleeve that He has not yet revealed in His Word? Since the speaker did not specify, what is the power that God will show South Africa and for what purpose?

We must ask ourselves, first…

Wherein lies the power of God? Is His greatest demonstration of power in the natural world, where weather and natural disasters do untold damage and destroy the lives of many people?

Does God take pleasure in being destructive because He can?

The Bible gives us clear indications of the power God uses to bring benefit and blessing to people. The first and greatest, I think, is the power of the gospel.

THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL

Romans 1:16-17 NLT
[16] “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. [17] This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has LIFE.

There is no power greater than the saving message of Jesus. He can rescue doomed sinners, change their hearts, and transfer them from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of His Son.

Wherein lies the power of the gospel?

THE POWER OF THE CROSS

1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT
[18] “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”

The gospel’s power to save sinners from death and hell and transform them into sons of God lies in the message of the cross.

Colossians 1:13-14 NLT
13] “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, [14] who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”

THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION

God’s demonstrated the mighty power of the cross by another act of His power,

Romans 1:4 NLT
[4]”… and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.”

the power of the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

God does all His work in us by the power of the Holy Spirit

THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT
[19] “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power [20] that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”

Did you get that? The same power – the power of the Holy Spirit – that raised Jesus, is at work in us.

Ephesians 3:16 -17 NLT
[16] I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. [17] Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

Does God have to tidy up this salvation with prophecies about more work yet to be revealed?  An emphatic NO because “It is finished! “

How does God make this salvation active in the heart of a sinner?

Romans 10:17 NLT
[17] “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”

So, secondly, God’s power is in His Word.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT
[12] “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

1 Peter 1:23 NLT
[23] “For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God….
[25] … And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.”

Life is full of twists and turns, challenges and hardships, pain and suffering. How do we navigate this journey until we reach our eternal home?

THE POWER OF GOD’S GRACE

Paul knew what it was to struggle and suffer. His cry for help produced this powerful assurance.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
[9] “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

There is so much more that God’s power does to us and in us that I cannot refer to here. However, we know that God’s power is enough to save, transform, and help us to live lives that reflect His grace in this fallen world and to keep us in His love until we reach our heavenly destination.

This is the power South Africa needs, not some vague, prophetic, wishful thinking, to transform the lives of people who will, by their faith in God and lives of unselfish service to others , rescue our nation.

Our nation can be changed, not by God demonstrating His power, but by the gospel of the Lord Jesus transforming people, one life at a time. For the gospel to be effective, it must be preached to every person and lived by every believer. That’s the power of God that He has given us if we believe.