Part 5: God and his power?

Power is something that many people desire yet few can really control when they have it. The abuse of power is prevalent in today’s society and one just has to look at the news or your work place. The sad thing is that some people think that God also abuses his power.

But has God actually abused his power? If you read the story of Moses’ encounter with Pharaoh where God acts in favour of the Israelites one would tend to think that God is dealing with Pharaoh “to show him who is boss.” (See Exodus 6 to 11) It appears that God is acting in an arbitrary manner and displaying his powers to “show off” not only to Pharaoh but also to anyone who might be watching. Ten plagues; the succeeding one more impressive than the preceding until finally God started taking the first born’s lives.

Now there is a show of power! One would tend to think that God is saying “obey me or I will kill you.” The question is, however, did this show of power by God make Pharaoh afraid of God? Did this show of power convince Pharaoh of his fruitless stubbornness in going against the God of the universe? Did the show of power convince Pharaoh of God’s righteousness?

Now if we view Pharaoh as God’s enemy and how “unconvincing” the show of power was to Pharaoh, remember Pharaoh still pursued the Israelites after they had left (Exodus 14), then how does God’s power act on his “children.” The Israelites can be considered in this story as God’s “friends” and God performed many miracles in their midst to display his power and ability to save. Yet the Israelites were afraid (Exodus 20:18-21) and did not want to have God speak to them. On other occasions God performed many miracles by his power yet somehow only a few Israelites ended up really respecting him.

It appears from the stories in the Bible that God’s use of power does not fully convince people to a long term relationship of love and trust. At closer inspection it appears God’s power is used at times to grab the attention of a stubborn rebellious people who are bent on doing there own thing and who for the most part are stiff necked and hard of hearing. No I am not only talking about the Israelites! I am talking about mankind even today! Sin still has the same nature and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God!

God’s power may drill some fear into some people and his apparent arbitrary acts of putting some rebels to sleep may convince other people, out of fear, that God ought to be worshipped. The problem with worshipping God out of fear and obeying rules out of fear of being zapped eventually creates rebels. All one has to do is read the various accounts on the Bible where God illustrates this very thing in the history of the Israelites. So what is this use of power all about if it produces nothing but fear and rebellion in the long run?

The question one needs to ask: Is it really about power? God is the most powerful being in the universe and therefore no one else stands a chance when it comes to a show of power. I would like to suggest that its not about God’s power. Yes God is powerful and he does use his power when necessary but its more about God’s name or character than anything else.

The Jews during the time of Jesus Christ expected the Messiah to come with great power and majesty. They expected a powerful ruler to do away with Roman rule and usher in a powerful Israelite nation. Yet the God of the Universe chose to come in a manger, grow up in poverty, associated with the poor, the sick, the unknown’s of the world, ride a donkey, die a despicable death on a cross and not seek political office in his time. He healed people physically, mentally and spiritually as his show of power. He revealed his character and he fulfilled prophecy to substantiate who he really is.

So God’s show of power is really revealed in his character. I believe that this kind of power is more convincing in the long run. The love, which is the essence of God’s character, is more convincing in turning enemies into friends, keeping friends loyal for eternity and breeding trust in rebels. Now here is the real show of power – to be reviled and not retaliate even though you know you could, to heal people of disease and not ask for any consultation fees, to forgive when insulted and mocked, to give life and not ask for anything in return, to love even to death when you know you don’t deserve it, to rescue the very rebels that seek to kill you, to die with compassion and love in your heart for those who do you harm. That is power! The power of love!

The show of power that God revealed on the cross is nothing the world has ever seen or will ever experience again. It goes against our sinful nature! It goes against our rebellious natures! To humble yourself as Jesus did is not the way we view power. To be humiliated as Jesus was is not how we handle power! Yet today there are millions who have been convinced by this show of power and have come to be reconciled to God; to not be afraid of a God so kind, loving, merciful, righteous and gracious!

Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author is not purported to be the official position of the Dalpark Seventh Day Adventist Church nor that of the worldwide church of Seventh Day Adventists but are the thoughts of the author alone. ©Winston W.N. Tong