The doctrine of God’s power has nearly as many applications as there are verses in the Scriptures, for it fills the Bible from beginning to end. For the sake of the reader’s meditation and spirituality, we highlight several practical implications of this important truth.
First, God’s sovereignty calls us to repentance from rebellion. Job 9:4 says, “He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?” Watson said, “It is better to meet God with tears in your eyes than weapons in your hand.”1Watson, A Body of Divinity, 81. In fact, it is the most foolish thing in the world to fight against the omnipotent God. The psalmist marveled, “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?” (Ps. 2:1). Mankind has engaged in an impossible war. Their plots provoke only divine laughter, derision, and wrath (vv. 4–5). In the end, rebels will be crushed by Christ as a piece of pottery is shattered by an iron club (v. 9). He can crush you in a moment: Will you not, therefore, bow before him?2Perkins, Exposition of the Symbol, in Works, 5:37. If we have repented and been reconciled to God, let us wage ceaseless war against our remaining insubordination. John Brown of Haddington said, “If he be Almighty, a sovereign Ruler, am I . . . still trembling before him? Do I always labor to check the very first risings of my heart in rebellion against him?”3Brown, Systematic Theology, 125.
Second, God’s sovereignty calls us to trust in the promises.4Ussher, A Body of Divinity, 2nd head (42). The eye of the flesh cannot see how it is possible for God’s promises to come true, but the eye of faith looks to the Lord omnipotent. It seemed ridiculous that God would give old Abraham and barren Sarah a son, but he gently admonished them, “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?” (Gen. 18:14). Whatever dangers you may face, believe that God is able to sustain you in them or rescue you from them. Let those in covenant with God rejoice that their Lord is almighty; they have a friend who can do anything.5Preston, Life Eternall, 2:186. A hearty confidence in God’s infinite power is requisite for us to trust his promises, for we must be, like Abraham, “fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform” (Rom. 4:21). Abraham is our spiritual father if we walk in the footsteps of his faith (v. 12). Such faith is crucial for our perseverance in sanctification. Watson said, “The strong God can conquer thy strong corruption; though sin be too hard for thee, yet not for him.”6Watson, A Body of Divinity, 81./mfn] Third, God’s sovereignty calls us to reverent fear.6Watson, A Body of Divinity, 79. Certainly, if we met a man who could bring a mountain into existence merely by speaking, we would be frightened by his power. Much more we should fear the God who created the stars and planets with his mere word (Ps. 33:8–9). Few people consider what it would mean for such a God to be angry with them (90:11). Let us loathe the thought of provoking him: “Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?” (1 Cor. 10:22).7Hopkins, On Glorifying God in His Attributes, in Works, 3:327. Yet the infinite resources of his power are for those who fear him, not against them. We may fear him with childlike confidence in our heavenly Father. Meditate on the power of the King, and say, “Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty. . . . Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name?” (Rev. 15:3–4).
Fourth, God’s sovereignty calls us to humble praise. We should “sing unto the Lord” and “make a joyful noise,” for he is “a great God, and a great King above all gods,” who holds the earth and the sea in his hands (Ps. 95:1–6). All creation displays God’s power in order to awaken our adoration.8Hopkins, On Glorifying God in His Attributes, in Works, 3:325. Does your soul desire to praise him for his excellent greatness? Proud sinners do not stoop to praise God, but humbled men acknowledge that his “dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation” (Dan. 4:34). Perhaps you are weighed down with troubles, but even there the godly may say, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
Fifth, God’s sovereignty calls us to faithful service. Whatever authority and influence you may have, remember that these are delegated to you from the Lord. God entrusted dominion to mankind as his images (Gen. 1:26)—not as independent gods, but as representatives of the Creator. You are a steward entrusted with the Master’s possessions, charged to do his will for his glory and your good. Even if you are a “master” on earth, remember that you, too, have a Master in heaven (Eph. 6:9). Ezekiel Hopkins said, “Glorify the power and sovereignty of God, by using that power and authority, which he hath given you, in subordination unto his.”9Hopkins, On Glorifying God in His Attributes, in Works, 3:326 Your greatest wisdom in any situation is to cheerfully obey the commands of the all-wise Lord. Brakel said, “All that God wills, the servant of God also wills, because the will of God is the object of his desire and delight.”10Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service, 1:4.
Sixth, God’s sovereignty calls us to submission in sorrows. When bad news strikes our families, God’s grace enables us to say, “It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good” (1 Sam. 3:18). God has both the right and the power to do with us as he sees best. Though God’s omnipotence grates harshly on the sufferer’s ear when he is in rebellion against his Maker, this truth enables the saint to repent of his bitter complaints, put his hand over his mouth, and bow before the incomprehensible majesty of God (Job 40:1–5; 42:1–6). Bowing before the Lord who ordains both good and evil in his righteousness, one finds new hope in God’s mercies and faithfulness (Lam. 3:21–29, 37–38). Believers can rejoice in God’s power, for, as Charnock said, “It is a power in the hands of an indulgent Father, not a hard-hearted tyrant.”11Charnock, The Existence and Attributes of God, 2:98.
Seventh, God’s sovereignty calls us to have hope for the salvation of others.12Ussher, A Body of Divinity, 2nd head (43). When we consider the hardness of men’s hearts and their slavish attachment to this world, we may despair of their conversion and cry out, “Who then can be saved?” Christ answers, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27). We must preach this word to ourselves as we look upon loved ones who seem a million miles from the Lord, reminding ourselves continually that “with God all things are possible.” If Christ could save Saul of Tarsus, then he can save whomever he pleases and make their lives beautiful in his service.
Eighth, God’s sovereignty calls us to boldness in prayer.13Perkins, Exposition of the Symbol, in Works, 5:39. Paul’s prayers for the spiritual growth of the saints are staggering in their high aspirations, but he reminds us that the Father “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). John Newton (1725–1807) said,
Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring;
For his grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much.14John Newton, Olney Hymns, in The Works of the Rev. John Newton (New York: Robert Carter, 1844), 2:120.
Excerpt from
Reformed Systematic Theology, Volume 1: Revelation and God
By Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley
