The beautiful book of Hebrews, Chapter 11, commonly known as the faith chapter, is also a chapter that explores the dimensions of unparalleled power. It chronicles the willingness of very well known, as well as unknown persons who were eager to completely dedicate their lives and readily sacrifice themselves on the altar of faith to a merciful, gracious and loving God.
In these thrilling accounts, we see the Lord showing Himself strong to those who loved Him with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. He magnificently orchestrated some incredible victories such as the righteous blood of Abel reporting from the ground to God the identity of his evil assassin. It tells of Enoch, the father of Methuselah, and his glorious translation after walking with God for 365 years, continuing with Noah’s amazing sea-faring voyage of salvation and global repopulation. It describes the obedient homeland-seeking journey of Abraham who, when well beyond the age of fathering children produced off-spring with his wife Sarah, then portrays the spiritual adventures of their great-grandson Joseph and his political rise to power in Egypt. It goes on with Moses’ flight to safety via the splitting of the Red Sea, as well as Joshua’s entry into the land flowing with milk and honey marching through the parted Jordan River and by the fallen walls of Jericho. It also documents the story of the line of scarlet thread hanging in the window of the harlot Rahab ensuring her family’s escape from destruction by faithfully acting upon the knowledge and wisdom granted her by the Lord concerning the advancing Israelite army.
Now how were these seemingly impossible feats against seemingly impossible odds accomplished? Certainly not by any goodness or ability of their own. Nor by relying on the help of anyone or anything else. And no, not by some magical coincidence or mystical twist of fate. No, no and absolutely no. These unbelievable accomplishments were brought to fruition by the faith these individuals had in an Almighty God which allowed them access to the unimaginable power that He is able to unleash on this world at any time to any one for any reason He chooses.
As scripture records, this kind of power can quench the blistering blaze of a fiery furnace or muzzle the mouths of man-eaters in any cave of carnivores. It is the power that rained down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel showing who was God’s preferred prophet and the power to decimate a million-man march of Ethiopians, or any army for that matter, that may rise up against you. Wonder-working power to turn an ordinary building into a magnificent and awe-inspiring edifice glowing with the glory of God’s divine presence. Unlimited and love-filled power to forgive our sins, cleanse us from all iniquity and grant us inheritance to life eternal. How can we not come to the conclusion that this is not just some ordinary, mundane, off-the-wall, everyday earthly energy? It is the productive, perceivable, palpable and praise-worthy power of God we’re talking about.
With that being said, we all know and acknowledge that with all of the incredible victories we are blessed with there will also be difficult challenges to deal with as well. Going back to the book of Hebrews it tells us of some of the things people endured in order to be able to cling to this precious faith that has been made available to us all. It says, “…and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection; And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Hebrews 11: 35-38)
Now why would anyone purposefully endure these terrible conditions? What was it that was so important, so precious, so vital that they suffered horrendous pain, brutality and persecution? What was it that eclipsed the agony of their afflictions, not allowing their torment to deter the blessed hope that they cherished inside? There was something so fantastic that they believed in and spiritually discerned to be true, something they considered more valuable than their own lives, something they desired so intensely they were willing to give up everything.
They were living examples of the sentiments expressed in Romans 8, Verse 18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” They were convinced that, "...though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4: 16) By the grace of God they were able to put things in their proper perspective, realizing that, "...our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Corinthians 4: 17) Their faith had been fine-tuned and their vision adjusted to highlight the truth of their purification process: "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." (2 Corinthians 4: 18 & 5: 1) Or, as previously stated, "...that they might obtain a better resurrection..."
Their journeys and revelations were similar to the Apostle Paul who, as scripture records, also led a life of discomfort and tragedy as he took up his cross and followed Christ daily. When writing to the church in Corinth there were some who vigorously opposed him, doubting his qualifications and sincerity. To them, and to the entire church he said, “I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11: 23-38)
He included in the same epistles to the Corinthians the details about an affliction he was suffering from even as he was being blessed with heavenly enlightenment and insight into spiritual things. And this is what he said, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12: 7-10)
Paul spoke very frankly about this hope that all Christians possess when he said, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15: 19) Of course that would be true if it weren’t for the fact that ….. are you ready for this….. Jesus has risen from the dead with all power and now sits on the right hand of God making intercession for us all. GLORY! I now quote directly from Romans 8: 34: “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us.” And there you have it, dear brethren. Our earthly existence is nothing compared to our opportunity to experience God’s grace and mercy through an intimate, spiritual relationship with His beloved Son Jesus Christ. A relationship which was ordained and designed before the foundation of the world to deliver us to the paradise which God has prepared for us. A relationship which means more to us than our physical comfort, or our emotional well-being and even our own temporal life.
By the power of God we have been made more than conquerors, we are overcomers! And as guaranteed in His Word to the 7 Revelation churches starting in Ephesus: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.“ (Revelation 2: 7) To Smyrna: “…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Revelation 2: 10) To Pergamos: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (Revelation 2: 17) To Thyatira: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father. And I will give him the morning star.” (Revelation 2: 26-28) To Sardis: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.” (Revelation 3: 5) To Philadelphia: “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.” (Revelation 3: 12) And to Laodicea “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” (Revelation 3: 21)
Now ain’t that just awesome!!! When you think of the privilege we have been given to joyfully anticipate and personally participate in the power of these promises being fulfilled, it just absolutely stirs the soul to say the least. Just always remember that what we've been given ain't about us, it's all about Him. You see, "...we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (2 Corinthians 4: 7) Therefore, we can say unequivocally, without hesitation or reservation, that our belief in and connection with Christ is not some common-place, casual acquaintance or lackluster affirmation of a lifeless association with an unknown deity. What we experience starts with the goodness of God drawing us to His Son, acknowledgement of a conviction that produces a godly sorrow which results in a true repentance and then an exhilarating freedom that comes from being released, reinvigorated and redeemed from sin. A joy unspeakable that is manifested in the power we feel by coming in contact and communing with the King of kings and Lord of Lords, basking in the glory of His Holy presence.
Now, some might ask, “What do you mean, feel the power?” Well, just as a natural child being born is a celebrated event being freed from the confines of the womb to experience life on earth, even more so when we are spiritually born again it is an infinitely greater celebratory event and a true freedom to experience the treasures of eternity with the Ancient of Days and the beloved Lamb of God. Jesus said there is joy in heaven and in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents. That doesn’t sound very benign or ho-hum to me. Sounds like jubilee! And heaven was all in on it! So, to answer the question, yes, we feel Him. We know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death.
In like manner, Jesus feels us. He wept at the grave of a close friend, like us when losing a loved one. After fasting, He hungered like us. On the cross He was thirsty like us. He felt anxiety, pain and suffering just like us. And because of these things He is a faithful and effective advocate for us. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4: 14-15) In fact, He is the best and only advocate for us. “…we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2: 1-2)
The question is, “He feels you but do you feel Him?” Take for instance those ones who came to arrest Jesus as He prayed with His disciples in the Garden. Jesus asked them who they were looking for and they said “Jesus of Nazareth.” When Jesus replied, “I am He” they went backward and fell to the ground! Do you think they felt the power? Or how about the 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus who encountered Jesus along the way. He hid His identity from them and then gloriously educated them on the Word of God. When they arrived in Emmaus, Jesus opened their eyes and they recognized Him immediately. He then suddenly disappeared from their sight. Astonished, they jubilantly exclaimed, “Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24: 32) Do you think they felt the power?
And finally on the subject of Him feeling us and us feeling Him, Jesus felt the virtue leave His body when the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of His garment. Her faith put her in perfect position to experience the healing, life-giving power coursing through her body as the Gospel According to Mark records that “the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she “felt” in her body that she was healed of that plague.” (Mark 5: 29) When she made contact with Jesus, her healing was the power of God being manifested in the fulfillment of her faith. It is the same power we hope for in His provision. The same power we hope for in His protection and the same power we hope for in His peace. It is the same power emanating from Him that restores our souls. Our souls which belong to Him exclusively. We can therefore shout from the rooftops, “I have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16: 8, 9 & 11)
Now, I am a realist and I understand that we may not be constantly floating around on a cloud 24-7, and that we all have our own personal struggles that only God knows about. But if we are determined in mind and purposed in heart to live a holy, consecrated life that is dedicated to Christ no matter what, then, by faith we can be confident that our calling and election is sure, all while still being able to acknowledge our temporal limitations. Paul said it was, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3: 12-14) In our humanity we may not be a perfect people, but glory to God, we are a precious and peculiar people who are passionately and perpetually in pursuit of perfection. The perfection found only in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God and Savior of the world.
When Job repented before the Lord for speaking beyond himself, he confessed, “I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.” (Job 42: 3) And Abraham, when trying to defend and protect the few righteous ones who he surmised could possibly have been in Sodom and Gomorrah, he acknowledged his own insignificance by saying, “Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes…” (Genesis 18: 27) When the great King David humbled himself after his foolish indiscretion with Bathsheba and subsequent sins to try and cover it up, he penned a poem of apology and pleaded with God to “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.” (Psalm 51: 10-12)
If all of the aforementioned individuals were able to recognize their own frailties, certainly the Lord Himself is aware of what He has created. He says, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55: 8-9) He knows exactly who we are. “For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.” (Psalm 103: 14) But He loves this dust that He created and has given us the power to draw near to Him. And if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you..." (James 4: 8) Seek Him sincerely and you will find Him and position yourself to experience His promises. “…the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.” (Psalm 103: 17-18)
What a magnificent blessing it is to serve a faithful and compassionate God Who is “...merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” (Psalm 103: 8) One Who “hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103: 10) He has assured us that “as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103: 11-12) And, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him.” (Psalm 103: 13) Again, we may not be perfect yet, but Jesus is perfect and we will never compromise, tolerate or settle for anything less than His perfection. According to Proverbs 34: 14, “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” And though some things may seem impossible for man, with God all things are possible. Therefore, the pursuit continues!
And so, dear ones, “Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” (Psalm 32: 11) The good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ can never be changed. But we have been changed so let us always remember that “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being…” (Acts 17: 24-28)
He will never leave us nor forsake us and His door is always open for us to “… come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4: 16)
So to all the world I say, have faith in God, come to Christ and feel the power. The power of humility. The power of meekness. The power of forgiveness. The power of peace. The power of restoration. The power of salvation. The power of love.
May God bless you all in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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