Almighty God

Psalm 91 - Study 3 - Almighty God

We read in Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (WEB)

The Psalmist in the above mentioned verse mentions two titles for God; The Most High and The Almighty.  As we have already considered the significance of The Most High God in the previous study, we will in this one understand the essence of what ‘Almighty God’ means to us.

God is the Almighty one implies there is nothing that is impossible with Him. We will take a different perspective in this study to comprehend how this might of God is revealed to us.

1.      God is mighty in love

We read in 1 John 4:8, The person who doesn't love doesn't know God, because God is love. (GW)

While the word of God declares that ‘God is love’ the world has misconstrued this message to assert that ‘love is God’. The love that God offers the world is a sacrificial love, whereas the love that the world gives is a self-centered or selfish love. God’s love gives and gives to bless, but man’s love is constantly on the receiving end.

The love of God is elucidated this way in Romans 5:8, Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God's love for us. (GW)

As human beings we may be willing to do good for someone who is good.  On the other hand we will often hesitate to help someone who is not good by our standards.  For instance, if an alcoholic approaches us for financial assistance, we would debate in our minds, as we are not sure if he would use or misuse the help extended to him. This is in complete contrast the love that God extends to us. While we were still sinners, separated from God, and at enmity with Him, God manifested His love toward us. This immense love of God was demonstrated to us when Jesus willingly laid down His life on our behalf.

To explain this unfathomable love of God, Jesus told the parable of the lost son.

We read in Luke 15:20'And having risen, he went unto his own father, and he being yet far distant, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and having ran he fell upon his neck and kissed him; (YLT)

If the father embraced his son, when he was at home, obedient to him it would have not been a big deal.  The condition in which the son returned to his father was deplorable. When the son got back to his father, he had squandered all of his wealth, was in tatters, had worked among pigs and therefore was in a despicable state.  It was such a son, that the father embraced and kissed. This is the boundless love that the Almighty God extends to all of His children, whom He has created in His image.

We are all in a situation where we are forced to be confined to our homes with fear and uncertainty about the future. While some people have begun to look to God, there are still a majority who are not much concerned. This is God’s call to everyone, to turn our attention towards Him, and to seek Him. Just like the son lost all that was his, mankind is standing at the threshold of losing everything. The rate at which the world is going it seems that mankind will have to pay for the very air we breathe.  A few years back, people were amused at the thought that they would have to buy water, but today it has become a reality.

The Almighty God is a God of love. If we will repent, turn to Him, and seek His face, He will surely encompass us with His great love. When the son returned back to his father, he did not question him or blame him but accepted him just as he was.  Even if you have lost everything and feel totally unworthy, just return to God for He will accept you with open arms, and with unconditional love.

1.      God is mighty in righteousness

We read in Psalm 71:19,Your righteousness, O God, is very high; you have done great things; O God, who is like you? (BBE)

God is one who does everything right, and there is nothing amiss in Him. There are many people who have not fully understood who God is, and therefore have questions in their mind as to how God could allow something like this.

Just like a coin has two sides, and it would be worthless if it had no inscription on one side, so also the love of God and the justice of God are two sides of the same coin.  We can never comprehend the love of God, if we have not fully understood the justice of God.

·         God delivered Israelites with a mighty and powerful hand

We read in Deuteronomy 26:8,Then the LORD used his mighty hand and powerful arm to bring us out of Egypt. He used spectacular and awe-inspiring deeds, miraculous signs, and amazing things. (GW)

This the testimony of how God delivered the people of Israel.  He brought them out of bondage from Egypt, with His mighty hand and powerful arms.  He performed miracles and wonders that were unimaginable. God redeemed them because they were His people.

·         Israelites speak against God and are punished

We read in Numbers 21:5-6, And the people spoke against God, and against Moses, and the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many people of Israel died. (Webster)

In spite of all the miraculous wonders that the people witnessed firsthand, they rebelled and spoke against God and against Moses. When they did so, the Lord sent fiery serpents amongst the Israelites, which bit the people so that many died. God in His grace brought the people of Israel out of bondage, but when they rebelled against Him, he punished them, for God is also a God of justice.

·         The Israelites turn to God in repentance

We read in Numbers 21:7, Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, we have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. (Webster)

When confronted with death, the Israelites turned to God. They went to Moses and begged forgiveness for the words they spoke against the Lord and against Moses. Moses then pleaded with God to spare the people.

Even today, man is in rebellion against God. The reason we are faced with such tumultuous times is because, the things that God disapproves of and declares sinful, man has approved, to make it acceptable. There’s going to be a great change in these days. The Lord is sifting the church to rid it of all that is displeasing to Him. This is a wake-up call for the church, and the people of God.  All that man thought was unstoppable has suddenly been brought to a grinding halt. If any of us have in ignorance spoken against God, or against the ministers of God, may we repent and ask for His forgiveness.

Right now we are surrounded by death and fear of a grave epidemic. If we do not turn to the Lord in the midst of this crisis, we are to be pitied as there will be no hope for us. If we want this present situation to change, the only answer is to humble ourselves and pray.  The church must pray, individuals must pray and families must pray.

·         God gives a solution to their problems

We read in Numbers 21:8,And the LORD said to Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. (Webster)

God commanded Moses to make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole.  Whoever, was bitten, were instructed to simply behold the serpent so that they could live, and not die. This was God’s love demonstrated again by giving a way to escape punishment and death. Healing and deliverance came when they looked on with faith at the brazen fiery serpent.

In a time such as this where we are surrounded by disease, death and impending gloom, you may be wondering where our deliverance will come from or to whom should we look to.

·         Jesus was lifted up for us

We read in John 12:32,When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me." (GNB)

Jesus came down to earth, took on human form, and lived among us. Jesus came to bring salvation to all mankind, and He was lifted up on the cross to pay for our sins. Jesus was crucified, raised up, and He assures us that those who look to Him by faith will be drawn to Him.

We read in Isaiah 53:5,He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds. (GW)

There is absolutely no need for anyone to fear if they can only lift up their eyes to look to the Lord Jesus who was crucified for our sins. Jesus was wounded because of all our rebellion, He was crushed for our sins, He was punished so that we could have peace, and it is because of those the wounds of Jesus that we are healed from all our diseases. Jesus was the sinless Lamb of God, but He died only because of our sins and transgressions. There is hope only in Jesus, and we are commanded to believe in the Lord Jesus, and behold Him alone. He alone can deliver us from death and destruction. We have ignored God and His word, but now is the time to come back, repent, and look to Jesus by faith.

God loved the world so much, that He was willing to send His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus, to die on our behalf. The cross of Calvary is the perfect place where the love of God and the justice of God are both made manifest. John the Baptist introduced Jesus this way, in John 1:29, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the whole world (ESV)

Instead of running in our own strength, doing our own things, the Lord has halted us, to turn to Him. The Almighty God is a God of love, but also a God of justice and if we turn to Him, He will be gracious to us and deliver us from these fierce trials that surround us.

How can man be reconciled with God?

We read in 1 Peter 3:18, Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; (WEB)

In days gone by, in many developed countries the gospel was preached, and missionaries were sent to other parts of the world to share the good news.  Sadly, today many of these countries have forfeited their faith in God and turned to various ideologies. The call of God to everyone is to repent and turn back to Him.

Jesus who was righteous one took on all our unrighteousness, so that we can be reconciled to God. Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the only mediator between God and man.  God is Almighty and if we trust Him, He will reveal His wondrous might to us again.  Let us look to the Almighty God, and believe that everything is possible with Him. May we plead with Him in prayer to that our situations can change at the earliest. Let us repent and decide to give the honor and glory that is due to our Almighty God.

Prayer:

Our dear and loving Heavenly Father, we truly repent of our misdeeds and come to you believing that You are mighty in love and in righteousness.  We need You desperately at this time and acknowledge our helplessness.  Do change our situation Lord.  We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Br. Dixon

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Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins