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By Hank Walker | Pastor at Peach City Fellowship

“Our God is in the heavens; He does ALL that He pleases” (Ps. 115:3). With words like these, it is easy to establish that the Bible presents God as “ALL-POWERFUL.”

As we noted last time, however, God cannot do ANYTHING that is inconsistent with His impeccable character or revealed Word—the Bible.

Second, God’s omnipotence is not “blind.” He is not a cosmic bull in a china shop.” God’s power allows Him to accomplish all that He desires to achieve, but His perfect knowledge and wisdom direct that power to its ends. There is nothing—EVER—merely arbitrary or accidental in the exercise of God’s immense power.

Third, when we speak of God’s omnipotence, we tend to do so from two perspectives: (1) ABILITY—that is, nothing can stifle, slow down, change, or avert God from His “immutable” (unchangeable) purposes. No problem is so big, and no issue is so small as to prevent Him from fulfilling His will; (2) AUTHORITY—also referred to as “sovereignty,” this term means to “reign over.” So, with God’s ability, He accomplishes real ends by the exercise of His sovereign authority.

Finally, let us consider how God’s omnipotence is demonstrated in the Word. He “spoke” everything into existence (Gen. 1; Jn. 1). He provides for the smallest sparrow and the most beautiful lily (Mt. 6:26-30; 10:29-30). He controls events that otherwise seem random or chaotic: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh” (Prov. 16:33). He determines the boundaries of the nations, who their rulers will be, and whether the purposes of those leaders will prevail or fail (Acts 17:26; Is. 44:28; Ps. 33:10-11; Rom. 13:1ff.). God also perfectly directs the spiritual estate of all people everywhere. He eternally planned His only Son’s death—that it might be accomplished “by the hands of lawless men” (Acts 2:23-24)—so that we might be saved. And, to the surprise of many, He has even “appointed” those who WILL believe upon the Son for eternal life (Acts 13:48), “drawing” them to the Son, and “opening” their hearts to believe” (Acts 16:14-15), “granting” both salvation and suffering for Christ’s sake (Phil. 1:29).

THAT is a lot of power! Praise be to God that He always uses it wisely, lovingly, and perfectly for the benefit of His creatures.

Grace and peace, y’all. Soli Deo Gloria