The Power of God

MUSIC BLOG

JULY 18, 2024

THE POWER OF GOD

Mountain top experiences are almost always followed by a stroll through the valley.  When God is at work, it seems that Satan often follows very closely in an effort to sidetrack what God has just done or manifested.  I remember a particular youth trip that had some great results both in our mission and in our youth.  When we came home our youth were not prepared for the jump back into routine and within days there were some great rifts in the unity and strength of the group.  It seems that most Christians long for those mountain-top experiences without understanding the fallout that inevitably comes. 

1 Corinthians 1:18

The Wisdom of God

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The disciples experienced this phenomenon at the mount of Transfiguration. From Matthew 17:

⁹ When they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” ¹⁰ And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” ¹¹ And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; ¹² but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did ^[d]to him whatever they wanted. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

The Demon-possessed Boy

¹⁴ When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, ¹⁵ “Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. ¹⁶ And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.” ¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” ¹⁸ And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was healed at once.

¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” ²⁰ And He *said to them, “Because of your meager faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

The disciples had been privy to a heavenly meeting.  They heard the voice of God. However, on the way down from the mountain, they encountered a demon-possessed boy.  They were powerless to help the boy and the father was beside himself.  Jesus was angry with His disciples and asked, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you?”  The disciples asked Jesus in private why they were powerless.  Jesus told them their faith was meager, if only their faith was like the mustard seed, they could have cast out the demon.

So what is the application for us?  It is a reminder that when we have times of refreshing and great fellowship with the Lord and His people there will come a testing time to see if we have indeed grown from the time with God.  So don’t be surprised or dismayed.  In faith lean on God, lean on His provision, lean on His power.  He is not surprised by the test for He has allowed it. Reject the devil and he will flee from you. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  God will bring you through and there will be great rejoicing in heaven for the victory that God will bring.

Blessings,

Marty