The Powerless God

7 June 2009
Speaker: Ps Barnabas Boon
Texts: Mark 6:1-6, Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 11:22-25, Luke 18:1-8, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Often in our lives, we have unanswered prayers. At such times, we may ask, "Has God abandoned us, or is He powerless to act?" Scripture gives us a number of reasons why God seems to be powerless.

First, there are situations where God seems powerless to act. In Mark 6:1-6 we read of Jesus at his hometown and marveling that he could not do any miracles there because of their lack of faith or unbelief (vv5, 6). It is not that Jesus would not do works of wonders, it was that unbelief on the part of the people, tied his hands so that he could not do any miracles there. He was one of them and thus a local 'boy' and a prophet in his home town is without honour. The principle is clear with respect to powerlessness. We are powerless when unbelief, skepticism and faithlessness rule our hearts. We will have the powerful God on our side if we have faith and believe in His sovereign rule over our lives

Second, we experience being powerless because of our own prayerlessness. In Matthew 17:14-21 we read of the disciples being powerless to cast out a demon. In the privacy of their meeting with Jesus, the disciples inquired of this phenomenon and was rebuked by Jesus for their lack of prayer (21). The disciples could not heal because they had not been in touch with the One who could. They were relying on their own strength instead of seeking God's power through prayer and the spiritual discipline of fasting. Herein lies a very important principle. We should not be too quick to blame the unbelieving and skeptical sick and needy. There is great responsibility on the part of those who minister and who do ministry. Let us remember then that in order for us to minister in power we must also get in touch with the God of power through prayer and fasting.

Third, we are powerless because there are obstacles within our hearts which impede the power of God in our lives. One of the greatest obstacles to the flow of power from God through us is our own unforgiving spirit. In Mark 11:22-25 we read of the power available to the disciples and the issue of unforgiveness in the heart. These two ideas which occur side by side in Mark is not found in the other gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke. The occurrence of these two ideas side by side is no accident as some commentators have it. It points to a very important principle of ministry in the power of God. Should there be any unforgiveness in our hearts or any impediment which obstructs the flow of power from God to us, we would not be able to minister in power.

Fourth, we are powerless because we do not persevere in prayer. Persevering prayer indicates to God our seriousness and in persevering for what we ask, He will so grant that request. In Luke 18:4,5, we read of the persistent widow against an unjust judge. Jesus teaches us that God is more than and better than this unjust judge. In the face of our persistent cries for help God will act powerfully on our behalf. Persevering prayer is powerful. When we persevere in prayer God is pleased. Are we powerless? Is God powerless to act. No, we persevere in prayer to a powerful God who will act.

Finally, we experience powerlessness in the midst of God's purposes. There is such a thing as the thorn in the flesh. Paul experienced it and taught us valuable lessons. Life is not about being triumphant in everything. There is the dimension of humility and patience which is very much part of the life of power and worship. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul speaks of the grace available when the thorn in his flesh was not resolved. God had allowed the thorn to torment him because it was in the purposes of God to keep him humble and powerful in Christ. Hence, instead of despairing, Paul rejoiced in his weakness and in his suffering of insults, persecutions and difficulties. And therein lies the wonderful paradox of power in God for Paul. When Paul experienced such weaknesses, he was also experiencing the surpassing greatness and power of God. We too must learn of God’s grace in this manner. God's grace also comes through from the side of humility, humiliation, failure and difficulties and not just through blessings and honour and wonderment. Oftentimes God allows a thorn to come into our lives and at such times we must learn to submit to God. And then we shall in a strange way experience his power.

Horatio Spafford, is an example of a malleable soul completely surrendered to God. After the loss of his children, he found great comfort in God and out of that sorrow and loss wrote the hymn “It is well with my soul”. The words of the hymn illustrate for us the wonderful experience of grace in the midst of sorrow, loss and pain. And out of this thorn in the flesh, Horatio Spafford and his wife would build a ministry to the Jews and Muslims in Jerusalem.