THE MATCHLESS POWER OF GOD
"However, Thou didst bear with them for many years, and admonished them by Thy Spirit through Thy prophets, yet they would not give ear.
"Nevertheless in Thy great mercy Thou didst not utterly consume them; for Thou art God, gracious and merciful…our God, the great, the mighty and awesome God, who keeps covenant and mercy." Nehemiah 9:31-32a.
The word "matchless" is defined as "having no equal". A more accurate word does not exist to describe the power of God. All power on earth, under the earth, and in the heavens is but infinitesimal when compared to the matchless power of Almighty God.
GOD’S MATCHLESS FORBEARING POWER!
In many instances, the greatness of power is more magnificiently expressed in the exercise of patience rather than in the implementation of that power.
The forbearance of God not only proves His love, mercy and compassion but is, in itself, a dynamic expression of that indescribable power which is His alone.
Concerning the forbearance of God, the psalmist echoes Nehemiah, saying:
"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness." "He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities." Psalms 103:8, 10.
GOD’S MATCHLESS FORGIVING POWER!
The scripture attests that through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s forgiveness is not fractional…it is complete. It is absolute, to wit, the testimony of both psalmist and prophet. Consider:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; who for-gives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:2-3, 12.
"Come now, and let us reason together saith the Lord, though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18.
GOD’S MATCHLESS FORGETTING POWER!
As wonderful as it is that God forgives our sins…it is even more wonderful that He "forgives and forgets!"
The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah give testimony of God’s matchless power to forget our transgressions and iniquities.
As a child of God we have the ability to forgive those who transgress against us but we lack the absolute power to forget those transgressions. And in this case, memory is a gigantic hindrance to our own peace of mind as well as a deterrent to the restoration of full fellowship.
Notice that Isaiah states that God “will not remember our sins FOR HIS OWN SAKE!
"I, even I, am the One who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins." Isaiah 43:25.
"…for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." Jeremiah 31:34.
GOD’S MATCHLESS FAR-REACHING POWER!
We rejoice when we read Isaiah 59:1: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy that it cannot hear.”
This great truth from the Old Testament is verified in the New Testament. Consider:
"Wherefore He is able also to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.
“Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25.
How marvelously did Haldor Lillenas, pastor and hymn writer, capture this glorious truth when he wrote:
“Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall it praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free,
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost;
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty,
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power…
Making him God’s dear child.
Purchasing peace and heaven…
For all eternity---
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Higher than the mountain, Sparkling like a fountain,
All sufficient grace for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame;
O magnify the precious name of Jesus,
Praise His name!”
AND LET ALL THE LORD’S PEOPLE SAY: AMEN!
