Creator, Father, King #15

O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!

LOOKING BACK, IT’S STRANGE to think that Adolf Hitler was once an itinerant artist in Austria who painted postcards and advertisements to make ends meet. Or that Joseph Stalin was the son of a poor cobbler who attended a theological seminary to become a priest in the Georgian Orthodox Church. Or that Fidel Castro was the sports-loving son of a wealthy Cuban sugarcane farmer.

But now, we remember these men as some of the worst dictators in history. Once these men came to power, they wielded authority ruthlessly, and millions suffered and died for it.

These tyrants are just several examples from the twentieth century of rulers who inherited great power and then abused it terribly. History is filled with similar stories.

As we study God’s attributes, we turn our attention to God’s power. Throughout Scripture, the biblical authors constantly draw our attention to God’s power over his creation. But here we must make a critical distinction: God’s power is nothing like human power.

And that’s a very good thing!

What’s It Mean?

God is omnipotent—that’s a theological term that simply means God possesses all power. He can do all things according to his perfect will. As today’s verse says, nothing is too hard for him or outside the boundaries of his abilities. Even one of his names—“Lord God, the Almighty” (Revelation 4:8)—speaks to his infinite supremacy in the universe.

But we need to understand another important—and beautiful—point about God’s omnipotence. He does not wield this incredible authority like a wicked human ruler. His power is never selfish, spiteful, or shortsighted, and he never uses it to take advantage of others.

Nahum 1:3 says, “The LORD is slow to get angry, but his power is great.” You certainly can’t say both of these things about the infamous despots of human history.

The Lord God Almighty’s power is holy, flowing from his righteous character. He always exerts his power to glorify himself (which is always for our good) and show love to his children.

This is a God you want to be all-powerful! This is a God you want to worship!

Now What?

Think the kings of the earth have power? If so, read Psalm 2 and Psalm 102:15.

Did You Know?

There are some things God cannot do. He cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18) or be tempted to sin (James 1:13). So while God is all-powerful, it’s not entirely accurate to simply say, “God can do anything.” It’s better to say, “God can do all things according to his perfect will.”