God has revealed Himself as El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty. When God introduced Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God said, “I AM God Almighty.” (Genesis 35:11; Exodus 6:4)
The Almighty God has used His power to keep you and me out of harm’s way many times. None of us knows all that Almighty God has done for us. It may surprise you if you knew how many times God reached down and helped you. By His mighty power, God has lifted us up out of our distresses and trials. He has used His might and power to help us when the enemy of our souls has attacked. God tells us that He uses His power to prevent us from being listed as victims and that He shares His power with us. El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty wants to put us in a position where we can live as “victors”.
David said El Shaddai — God Almighty — “is awesome and He gives power and strength to His people.” [Psalm 68:35]
This is an important fact for you to know.El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty does not want us to simply talk or sing about His power. He wants us to experience and use the power that He gives. God does not want any of us to be “powerless.”
In 1 Corinthians 4:20 (NASB95) the Holy Spirit says: “For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.”
Ephesians 1:18-19 NIV “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength.”
How great is this power that is working in us who believe? We are going to examine the “when” and “how” of God’s power. When does God provide power to you and me? How we can plug into that power?
When does God provide His power? God offers to give His power to us in a variety of situations.
We are going to focus on three.
First, God provides His power when we are weary.
We can count on God’s power when we are weary.
Isaiah 40:30 NKJV Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall…
All kinds of things in life make us weary. Our world is filled with things that sap our strength and make us weary. We get weary with all of the challenges to health and life. We get weary with the multitude of uncertainties in life. We get weary with the loss of security and the increase of violence. We get weary with the abundance of bad news. Many things in life make us weary.
Here is some good news, nothing makes God weary.
Isaiah 40:28 NIV Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.
The God that we trust does not grow weary. What does that mean? God is able to help you in every situation that you face.
El Shaddai – God Almighty — has unlimited power and strength and He wants to share it with us.
Isaiah 40:29 NKJV He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;
Whenever we feel weary, God offers the power that we need.The Lord gives power to the weary and weak. Those who are powerless and have no might, He increases strength. Those who put their hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
When does God provide His power?
Second, God uses His power to help us when we are weak.
I can count on God’s power when I’m weary or weak. Everyone has times when they feel weak or inadequate. Do you know what it is like to feel that you have nothing left to give? Have you said: “I just don’t know what they want from me?” Maybe you reached the end of yourself and said: “I don’t know what I can do!” Have you felt you are in over your head?Sometimes we bear so much sickness or pain that we can’t take it any longer.
Whenever life becomes more than you can bear, remember El Shaddai is near to help.
The Apostle Paul was weary and felt that he could not take it any more.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV And God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 LB Each time he said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.”
El Shaddai, the God of all power reminds us: “I am with you and that is all you need.”
Although the Apostle Paul was the first to hear those words, they are good for each of us. He tried everything and still felt powerless to change his situation. Three times he begged the Lord in prayer, but nothing worked.
That was when God said: “I am with you; that is all you need.”
That is what God says to us. When Paul knew his strength and power could not do it, God was there to help him. When you are at the end of your rope is when you will see His power.
When does God provide His power?
I can count on God’s power when I’m weary.
I can count on God’s power when I’m weak.
I can count on God’s power when I wrestle with temptation.
Most of us wrestle with various kinds of temptations. Many of our temptations usually come when we are feeling weak or weary. Most of us would be more successful when we face temptations if they only came when we were strong. The power of El Shaddai is available to help us when we are tested and tempted. God knows that we need strength and power to resist temptation and that is why He wants to share His power with us.
God gives the power to resist.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
You need to know that God Almighty is faithful to His promises. His compassions never fail and He can be trusted to help you with His strength and power. For every temptation, always God provides a way out. Look at those words: “will make a way of escape…” Nothing is coming up against you that God has not already made a way of escape so that you may be capable, strong and powerful.
Philippians 4:13 says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
God Almighty, El Shaddai, can do the impossible.
His power and strength is available for us.
We must plug in to the power that He provides.
How can I plug into God’s power? There are three steps we can take to access God’s power in our lives.
First, Admit that we are weak.
If you want to plug into God’s power, you need to admit that you are weak. Most of us have heard that message: “You just have to suck it up and go on.” “Don’t be such a wimp.” We are told it is wrong to admit weakness.
The Apostle Paul listed his strengths.
Sometimes you want to know your strengths.
- He had a great family lineage.
- He attended the best schools.
- He joined prominent and powerful organizations.
- He did the right things to belong.
- He had great connections.
Paul considered all of these things to be “rubbish.” Why?
In Philippians 3:10 he said, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…”This is the secret of strength and overcoming victory and power.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me… I am quite content with my weaknesses… For when I am weak, then I am strong.
That kind of statement is foreign to the way most people think. We admire strong people who have great qualities. We promote strong leadership and look up to people who come out on top.
Almighty God is ready to show His power when we admit that we are weak. The first step to getting God’s help and power is to admit you are weak and need help. Then take the next step.
How can I plug into God’s power?
First, Admit that I’m weak
Second, Be connected to the source of power.
Things work best when they are plugged in. It applies to your television, coffee-makers or cell-phone. It applies to you and me.
John 15:5 NLT Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:7 NLT But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
Jesus said: “If you remain in Me… and My words remain in you.” If you want God’s power in your life, you need to get connected– and stay connected to the source of power.He made us… He is the creator of our lives. He mended us… He took what was broken and sick and covered it with His redeeming blood and grace. We are dependent on His power and life.
We may need to check our connection. Are you unplugged? “Remaining in Jesus and His words” is more than occasional contact. If you feel that God is not working in your life… you may want to check the connection!
Are you “unplugged”? We cannot have the power without the person.
John 15:7 NLT Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”
Stop and think about what Jesus is saying!
- He loves you infinitely.
- He works supremely.
- He can forgive your past.
- He can fortify you in the present.
- He can prepare you for a glorious future.
How can I plug into God’s power?
First, Admit I am weak
Second, Be connected to the source of power…
Third, Choose God’s way
What does it mean to “choose God’s way”? When we are connected to God and remain in Him and His word remains in us… our choices in life become much clearer.We usually know what we should do. When we choose to do what God says, He gives us the power to do it. His Word will show you how God works.
Sometimes God shows His power first, and He waits for us to react. He did this when He sent His Son and His Spirit. He is waiting on us to respond. When we respond to His power He sends more power.
Many times God waits for us to act before He supplies His power. He wants us to act as if we have power to do what He said. This is an act of total faith in God.
God is looking for faith.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11 shows us what faith does…and how God works. God shows us individuals who did some phenomenal things by faith.
God asked Noah to build a boat in a place where it had never rained. “By faith, Noah built” for the salvation of his family.
God told Abraham to leave his homeland.“By faith, Abraham went, not knowing where he was going.” God made Abraham the father of many nations.
Moses had no clue how to cross the Red Sea.“By faith, they passed through on dry ground and their enemies were destroyed.”
The Lord our God is El Shaddai, the Almighty God. He may ask you to take a step of faith, but He will part the waters and make a way. He may give you an assignment you think is impossible, but God is El Shaddai. God may come to your side today with overwhelming power to do it. Don’t wait for God to give you overwhelming power to do it. When we choose God’s way… God’s power shows up.
