The Source Of Your Power

The Source Of Your Power

How God Meets Your Deepest Needs

Genesis 17:1-3

By Pastor Ted Palaroan

All of us at sometime in our lives have felt weak and useless. We’ve struggled with some problem that seems to always defeat us and bring us down. During those times we ask ourselves, were do I get the strength and power to survive? Where do we get the power to live in today’s crazy mixed up, but very real world, in a world where sick things happen to good people, in a world where life seems to be this constant struggle? Where do we get the power to live in a world that’s filled with these difficult questions? And where do I get the power to keep going every day of my life?

The reality is, is this, God never promised you or I that life would be easy. Pain and sin are everywhere. Not just in other states or countries. Pain and suffering is right here in our own community even in our own church.

The message (the Good News) is that you and I don’t have to live powerless lives. You and I don’t have to look for other sources of power. God says, "I want you to have My power today and everyday, even in the midst of pain and suffering."

I love what Job said, He said in 6:10 "At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One." The words of the Holy One make us a promise. The promise is this: That you and I can experience God’s unlimited, God’s divine, God’s supernatural power in our lives today and live the way He intended us to live and, when necessary, endure the pain and hardship of life.

God doesn’t want us to just talk about power. He wants us to access it. 1 Corinthians 4:20 "The kingdom of God is not just fancy talk. It is living by God’s power." Each week as we talk about a different need in our lives, we take a look at one of the names that God referred to Himself by and how God meets that need. Today we see that one of His names is El Shaddai, which means, "I am your all powerful God." God knew that we would have this need for power to live a Holy Consecrated life for Him. God knew that we would be powerless to live our lives the way that He intended us to live them and He says, "I’m the answer to your need for power. I am your all powerful God." God didn’t just say this about Himself; others said it about Him. Psalm 68:35 (New Living Translation) "God is awesome in His sanctuary. The God of Israel gives power and strength to His people. Praise the Lord"

I want to take a look at four promises that God says, "I’ll give you power when…" There are more but these are very relevant to us today.

When can I count on God’s power?

1. WHEN I’M TIRED AND WORN OUT.

Isaiah 40:29-31 29 He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. 30 Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. 31 But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (The New Living Translation)

I can count on God’s power when I’m tired. I don’t even have to ask you if you are tired. I can see it in your faces. We believed that in the 80’s and 90’s we could go-out-and get-and-achieve-everything-you-can and now that we’ve achieved it, we’re too tired to enjoy it! Our motto is, Why stop and smell the roses when you can drive right through them! We can rename ourselves too Tired.

Obviously there are some things that you and I can do to slow the pace of our lives down, but in the midst of this, God makes us a promise. Isaiah 40 "The Lord is the everlasting God. He never grows tired or weary. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Those who trust the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; He offers strength to the weak." I know some of you… you need to memorize this verse! Write it down and put it by your toothbrush, get a tattoo of it on your body, shave it on the side of your dog! I don’t care where you put it, just put it someplace where you can be reminded of it. It’s a great verse. God’s power is unlimited. He never gets tired. He never gets weary. He never goes to bed. He has unlimited energy. He created the entire universe and said, "What’s next?"