God’s “out of the box” power.The sovereign God will at times demonstrate power through means totally out of the box portrayed in this study.
Samson – Judges 16:28-30
Burning Bush – Exodus 3:2
Balaam’s jackass – Numbers 22:28
Fiery furnace – Daniel 3:25
Pentecost – Acts 1:8;; 2:1-4
David – the lion, the bear and Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:36
Mission India, reports in their monthly periodical, "In response to prayer a person was raised from the dead. This happened not once, but three times in recent weeks in three different regions of India." Now wouldn't that be exciting for God to so empower one that he/she could pray resurrection over a dead body. Definitely out of the box power!
Thus, as we are available and yielded to follow in the ways of Jesus Christ, we can look forward to being empowered by Him rationally and possibly “out of the box” unexpectantly.
Could the ultimate expression of power be demonstrated by Jesus when He “got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:4-5
Some translations say that Jesus took off his garments (being naked) and wrapped a towel around his waist. Others say he took off his outer garment. In either case it was an act of humility – an act of menial service that would have been despised by both Jew and Greek. The Creator of the universe, the Source of all power, humbling Himself to wash feet.
“God, grant me the attitude of Christ so that I may be a clean empty conduit through which Your power flows – however and to whomever you choose - from washing feet to raising the dead.”
1 comment:
How far outside the box are we willing to go? As your examples show, these were great feats were done outside of the limits of normal society. Samson and his Nazirite vow, Moses on the backside of the desert as far away from leading Israel as possible, God speaking through the creature to warn the prophet who wanted to compromise with man, the men refusing the ways of man and then walking with God in the midst of the fire, the apostles and followers minstering on Pentacost with means beyond their expectations or understanding, and the young David acting in the power of God to overcome the fears of the army of Israel. Certainly outside the box. Raising the dead, who is desparate enough or weak enough to allow God to enpower what has no life.
Is not each an example of those who in the deadness of their capabilities allows God to go beyond what they can do of themselves and truly be God in them, expressing Himself however He sees fit.
How often do our preconceptions limit what we allow God to do through us because we fail to conceive of His exceedingly great ability to touch our lives, our friends, our acquaintances and our world for His glory?
May we see through our smallness His largeness, may we take humility as our mantle and be willing to divest ourselves of vainglory so we may see His glory manifest.
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