Almighty power

Every day we're reading or listening to part of the Bible together and sharing thoughts with you. Today it’s Bern Leckie:

What did I like about today’s passage?

I often find the Bible inspirational, full of moral guidance, good advice, things in life I can relate to. This was not one of those readings. It’s a great reminder that not every page, even of my “Life Application Bible”, was written for my direct life application.

And why should it be? I like being reminded that this is about God’s story, his power, his unsettling, world-changing work, his initiative to move heaven and earth. All for my benefit? I’ve probably sung something like that, but let’s be real – if this is not about a ‘god’ of human invention but the God whose work stretches from the beginning of the universe to the end of time, I should probably settle for not feeling central to the plot at every moment.

What struck me as good to consider, though, was how this would all have felt to people who lived close to these events in the tumultuous times described. Can you imagine being at these turning points in history, where God was shaking up everything people were used to, using Israel’s enemies to reboot his kingdom as well as deliver judgement on each other?

If you heard Jeremiah’s words, would you turn away in disbelief like the remnant of Judah, or believe that God would re-draw the map before drawing his people back to their temple?

What did it show me about Father God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

God is more powerful than we can possibly be comfortable with. He has demonstrated his power at times when his body of people seemed weakest, most divided and closest to defeat. If this is true, then God cannot be the invention of a culture or a projection of people’s ethics, hopes and dreams. Rather the world, its nations and all of us are under his power. This can seem overwhelming, but if it’s how the world is, shouldn’t we accept that?

An image comes to mind as I look at this passage again and see the nations like ships, the strongest that people could build, and God like the ocean and the winds. Which has more power? The things we build, or the forces we hope to understand but cannot control?

What am I going to do differently as a result?

There are many times when I reach out to God for understanding of what Is going on around us. Sometimes I know God gives wisdom and I’m very glad for that, especially when it means we can make better choices and improve our lives and relationships. But I think there are also times when all we can do, at least for a while, is notice and accept that God’s power is at work and that it’s bigger than I can get my head around. I still feel a call to listen more and wait for God to reveal whatever he wants, and I want to grow in faith that I can trust him, even when there is big change and noise all around.

Who am I going to share this with?

I know some people who have been facing big changes in their work and family situations, and I doubt this is a good passage to comfort them(!) but we can listen to God together.