This week the country was saddened to hear about the death of one of the greatest running backs in football. O.J. Simpson or “The Juice” was an explosive runner who won awards and set records.
Growing up a lot of my childhood friends who liked the sport idolized Simpson because of his speed and sturdy legs. After his 11-year stint as a football player ended, his charisma and star power transferred to the big and little screens. Unfortunately, his power had good and bad effects on his life.
- Fame
- Wealth
- Corruption
I can still remember the notorious slow-speed chase through LA that glued me and millions of Americans to the TV while I was in college. O.J. Simpson’s success had him living life at 100 miles an hour, despite driving notoriously slow while fleeing from police in that chunky white Bronco.
O.J, let power corrupts him and his life spiraled out of control. His fame and wealth blinded him to the dangers in his life. He should have learned from the wisdom of his job. Through Job, we can see the difference between earthly power and God’s power.
Despite being wealthy, Job never lost sight of who God is, even after he lost everything (Job 1:1-22.) Job is an example of how God’s people should handle their power.
Power
Power is the “Ability to do something in a particular way, especially as a faculty or quality.” comes in many forms: strength, wealth, and control are just a few that come to mind.
It’s no wonder so many people will stop at nothing to obtain power. However, the Bible is clear that God is sovereign and He is all-powerful; His will can’t be stopped (Psalm 115:3, Acts 2:23, Romans 9:18-21, Colossians 1:16.)
We also know that the creation has always lusted for God’s power. Satan and a third of the angels in heaven aspired to be as great as God and assume His control (Isaiah 14:12-15.) Then Adam and Eve wanted to be like God and disobeyed Him in the garden (Genesis 3:1-7.)
Kōaḥ
Thanks to the prophets, Israel understood the true strength of God’s power (Genesis 1:1, Deuteronomy 32:39, Psalm 104:24, Isaiah 46:9-11.) Judaism has always taught God’s power and ways are supernatural and beyond man’s understanding (Job 38:33, Psalm 77:14, Isaiah 55:6-9.) However, they didn’t always respect or submit to it.
So God allowed His people to experience exile and hardships to humble them and show them His supernatural power. The Hebrew word used in the Old Testament for God’s power is kōaḥ and it can also mean wealth, strength, ability, or might depending on the context.
It is from that perspective that God’s people understood He could do the impossible (Genesis 8:14, Job 42:2, Jeremiah 32:17.) Judaism acknowledges certain attributes about God’s power most of us still believe today.
- Omniscient
- Omnipresent
- Holy
- Infinite
- Immutable
When the humble Jesus arrived, He didn’t line up with Israel’s ideas about God’s power. Because He wasn’t a mighty Messiah God’s people wanted. But, Jesus reminded His followers God does the impossible things man cannot (Matthew 19:26, Luke 1:37.)
Jesus understood God’s power was beyond our understanding (Matthew 22:29.) God’s people belittled God’s power to earthly limitations. The Apostle Paul was humbled by earthly powers and imprisoned to see and understand the supernatural power of God (Acts 9:1-19; 16:26-33.) The Apostle had to learn that Earthly power is limited.
FISA
This week there was a debate over extending our government’s Fisa Act. The act has been around since the late 1970s and allows our government to operate electronic surveillance of foreign intelligence agencies.
It is considered of utmost importance to our nation’s security, especially in the dark times we live in. Global powers worldwide are trying to position themselves favorably by any means necessary.
However, our country is in a hypersensitive state with individuals who are afraid to give up any power they may have. As with the Juice, power can be used for good or bad. Unfortunately, those with it tend to do more harm than good.
Our sinful nature causes us to abuse whatever power we have. Jesus even warned His Disciples not to let power go to their heads like the rulers of this world (Matthew 20:25-28.) Like anything in this world, what starts good, can quickly become evil if it is left unchecked.
That’s why our government has a series of checks and balances to keep our government’s power evenly distributed and to avoid the abuse of power. In a way, our government is modeled after God’s system of law and order.
God wants His creation to succeed, but He also knows our human nature can cause us to abuse our power. The miracle of Jesus is He strikes the perfect balance between two natures.
- Divine
- Human
Jesus had both natures, yet never sinned (Ecclesiastes 7:20, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:22.) Jesus never abused His power. He even resisted earthly power and greatness when tempted in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11.)
Jesus used His power to help others, He taught His followers to do likewise (Matthew25:44-45.) The great Charles Spurgeon said it best, “Christ also takes from us all inclination or power to boast of our national prestige. To me, it is prestige enough to be a Christian…to bear the cross Christ gives me to carry and to follow in the footsteps of the great Crossbearer.” Earthly power is limited, but God’s is kōaḥ!
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