God's Awesome Power

Joshua 10:13 – And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. (KJV)

Have you ever had something happen that is so bizarre that you have no explanation for it except the hand of God? Back in the days when I was still teaching school, I was driving home from a meeting at a local university, where I was an advisor for one of their clubs. Earlier that day, I had had to deal with some real issues concerning students. They had messed up big time. This happens with youth — they are not finished products. I was talking the problem over with God, and it was a wonderful conversation. My vehicle was an old truck with a faulty gas gauge that always showed empty. The only way to know how much gas the truck contained involved keeping track of the mileage. However, on this occasion, the mileage had been forgotten. It would be necessary to stop and fill the tank. Not wanting to end this wonderful dialogue with the Lord, I pressed on. The faulty gas gauge began to work. The truck contained plenty of gas to get me to my destination. The gauge worked for one tank of gas, then it quit. I had a mechanic check the gauge. It was not connected. He connected the gauge. It worked for one tank, then quit once more, never to work again.

Was there a natural explanation? I don't think so, but many people try to rationalize it, or put it in more comfortable terms. When God makes His presence known, He refuses to be explained away. Armed with prayer, we Christians have the awesome power of God to call upon. But this power depends on God, not even on our faith. Jesus once said, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20) Are you aware of any mountains being moved that way? Our human power and faith are not strong enough. The best of us is pretty puny, compared to the power of God. I may have faith that the sun will not set, but, in the evening, it happens at the usual time. However, in today's Scripture, Joshua prayed, God spoke the word, and the sun stayed still long enough for Joshua to finish the battle. The power of prayer does not depend on our faith, or on us. It depends on God. It always has, and it always will. Our part is, in faith, to surrender the problem, the plan, or the issue to the Lord, and then move aside. Our success and power depends on Him, and He will not be explained away.

Prayer: Father, we are grateful that our salvation depends on You and not on us. In ourselves, we don't have the power, but our strength is in You. You truly are "our strength and power" (2 Samuel 22:33). We give You the glory, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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