The winds were powerful last night, powerful enough to break limbs off trees and put houses in the dark.  Our house was one that experienced the darkness.  Our daughter spoke of driving her car against the wind, sensing the power of the wind, almost pushing her back. Her little vehicle felt like it couldn’t withstand the powerful, natural element.

Power comes in all shapes and sizes.  We speak of the power of a storm and the power of a person.  We make comments about the power of words, and powerful speeches.  I have heard, in relation to Covid19, that it is a powerful virus. 

Last night, I too drove in a car pushed and pressed by the power of the wind.  Considering the wind’s power all around me I was struck powerfully by words that came on the radio.  The lyrics poured into my listening ears. “Above all powers, above all kings.  Above all nature and all created things.”  “Above all powers.”

It was one of the kings, who led God’s people, who spoke of the One who was above ALL powers.  Jehoshaphat said, “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you” (2 Chronicles 20:6).

Does anything seem to have a power beyond your control today?  Is there a power you cannot withstand – a person, an illness, a fear, an oppression, an addiction? Note with me that there is also a cosmic spiritual realm of darkness which wields great power (Ephesians 6:12). 

There is One who is above all powers, and power.  There is One whose power is unmatched. In, and through, the selfless death and resurrection of Jesus (God in flesh), we witness ultimate power over even death and decay.  Some would say the cross is symbolic of weakness and defeat, but not so for those who believe. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).  Paul, who wrote those words, knew the power of Christ in his own life, and so he says to the reader then and now, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know…his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come…” (Ephesians 1:19-20).

Today we may speak about the power of the winds from yesterday, but those powerful winds invite us to speak confidently, of a greater, unending, present power.  The mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead is alive in our lives and our world today. We “Sing the mighty power of God, that made the mountains rise.” We shout, “Christ is coming, over the world victorious; power and glory unto the Lord belong.” We cry “Hold me with thy powerful hand.” We also sing along to the words heard on the radio last night.

134: Above All Powers, Above All Kings

Above all powers above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worth

Crucified laid behind a stone

You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all (repeat 3x)
Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

God of all power, mighty to create and recreate, we thank you for a demonstration of power that humbles us.  We see Christ Jesus lifted high, seated in heaven, and marvel at the power that raised him from the dead.  In those moments when we feel powerless, summon us, by the power of your Spirit, to you.  We know there is ‘wonder working power’ in Jesus alone. Nothing can withstand his power. Today, we bring our frailty and weakness, and, that of our neighbour, to you, and ask that you ‘send a new touch of power on our souls.” AMEN

With care and in prayer,