How is God’s power visible in this world ruled by nuclear powers?

Genesis 1:26-31Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. . . . Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!

Psalm 29:3-11The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord strikes with bolts of lightning. The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever. The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.

Revelation 21:1-2Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

God’s power is clearly displayed in the wonders of creation. But sinful humans have failed to properly care for God’s good creation, whether by degrading the planet through poor stewardship or by threatening to destroy the planet through a nuclear catastrophe. We have the choice to either take care of creation or be terribly careless with it. But God will exercise whatever power necessary to preserve his creation for his purposes until the time arrives for the new heavens and new earth.

Psalm 20:6-8Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.

God’s power is greater than any army or any destructive device conceived by human knowledge. All power wielded by humans originates within the limits of God’s created order and has been permitted by God.

Isaiah 45:13“I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people—without seeking a reward! I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

John 19:1-11“Why don’t you talk to me?” Pilate demanded. “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you?” Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above.”

Hebrews 1:10-12He [God] also says to the Son, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.”

Earthly rulers and authorities have power only because God has allowed them to exercise it temporarily. This might seem to include the power to destroy the world, but God has already claimed that right for himself.

Romans 8:1-2Now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

The power of the Holy Spirit can transform any life for eternity. That power cannot be overcome by any other power found in creation.

Colossians 1:15-20Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. . . . Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

Revelation 1:8“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”

Only Jesus can rightfully claim to be the beginning and end of all things. The one through whom all things and for whom all things were created will be the same one through whom all things will be consummated.

Revelation 4:11“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

All honor and power belong to Christ the King alone. Every other power permitted by him will at some point be eternally submitted to him.