Topical Encyclopedia
God's PowerThe power of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, manifesting in creation, providence, and redemption. God's omnipotence is evident from the very beginning of Scripture. In
Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," we see the divine power that brought the universe into existence. This creative power is further emphasized in
Psalm 33:6, "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth."
God's power is not limited to creation but extends to His sovereign rule over all things. In
Isaiah 40:26, the prophet declares, "Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." This passage highlights God's authority and control over the cosmos, underscoring His ability to sustain and govern the universe.
The power of God is also demonstrated in His acts of deliverance and judgment. In
Exodus 14:21-22, God's power is displayed as He parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape from Egypt: "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left."
In the New Testament, God's power is supremely revealed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:4 states, "and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." The resurrection is the ultimate demonstration of God's power over sin and death, providing the foundation for Christian hope and faith.
God's Unfailing LoveGod's unfailing love, often expressed as "hesed" in the Hebrew Scriptures, is a steadfast, covenantal love that characterizes His relationship with His people. This love is enduring and faithful, as seen in
Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!"
The unfailing love of God is a recurring theme in the Psalms.
Psalm 136 repeatedly affirms, "His loving devotion endures forever," highlighting the eternal nature of God's love. This love is not based on human merit but is a reflection of God's character and promises.
In the New Testament, God's love is most profoundly demonstrated through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This sacrificial love is the cornerstone of the Gospel message, offering redemption and reconciliation to all who believe.
The Apostle Paul further expounds on God's love in
Romans 8:38-39, affirming its inseparability from the believer: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
God's unfailing love is also a call to action for believers, who are encouraged to reflect this love in their relationships with others. In 1
John 4:11, the apostle writes, "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." This love is to be the defining mark of the Christian community, a testament to the transformative power of God's love in the world.