Infinite. Limitless. Boundless. These words describe the extent of God’s power as revealed in the Bible.
Power is the ability or authority to do something. It is also used to mean the control and influence exercised over others. We display power in our daily lives. When we take a stroll outside, when we wash our clothes or cook, these all are instances of power in operation. Supervising a team of executives in the office is also demonstrates power, as well as running an entire organization. In all these, and other instances, we reflect God’s own infinite and unbounded ability.
Power is inherent in God as the ability to do all his holy will. It is designated by the term omnipotence, which is His limitless capacity to effect or bring about all that He desires. It is clear from scripture that God is holy, hence he will never desire or do anything which is opposed to his own holy character. God’s omnipotence therefore means that He can carry out any activity or perform any task He desires, in keeping with his holy character.
The Bible speaks of this attribute in several places:
‘If He takes away, who can hinder Him?
Who can say to Him, “What are You doing?” ’(Job 9:12)
‘By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.’ (Prov 8:15)
‘And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.’ (Deut 8:18)
‘Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” ‘(Jer 32:26-27)
‘But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” ‘ (Matt 19:26)
‘For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,'(Rom 1:20)
‘… and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power’ (Eph 1:19).
God demonstrates his sovereign power in his 3 great works of Creation, Providence and Redemption.
Creation
According to the Bible, God established the universe out of nothing. This was a demonstration of immense creative power. This is referred to in Rom 1:20; 4:17; Isa 44:24.
Providence
This is God’s work of preserving and governing all that he has made. It is an ongoing activity. From day to day God sustains the universe, ensuring that nothing falls out of place. So when we wake up in the morning, when we close a business deal, when a farmer tills the soil, all these are possible because God is working to uphold the universe. And in doing this he demonstrates his limitless power. Heb 1:3; Isa 45:7; Jer 5:22; Amos 4:13
Redemption
The work of redemption was a display of sovereign power. In it, God exercised authority over Satan and defeated sin. When Jesus lay in the tomb, it was by the power of God that he was raised to life. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit continues to work in the life of believers, sanctifying and conforming them to the image of Christ. 1 Cor. 1:24; Rom 1:4,16; Eph 1:19,20; 3:20; 2 Pet 1:3; 2 Cor 9:8.
Dayo Adewoye 