True Power Comes from the Lord

March 07, 2021

“Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” - Book of Common Prayer, The Collect for the Third Sunday in Lent

We are dependent people! While the world will tell us over and over again of how powerful we are, how wise we are, and how independent we can be, the Lord would tell us a different story. In fact, every gift of wisdom, strength, and ability we have comes from the Creator God. We are designed to live in relationship to him. We are designed to surrender these gifts to him and to allow him to guide us in his ways and plans. Our gifts are not for our glory but for his glory.

We have no power in ourselves except that which has been given to us by the Lord. We certainly have no power in ourselves to save ourselves. While we are people made in the image of God, our sin has marred that image, and we fall short time and time again of the glory of God. The Lord would have us to look whole-heartedly to him for the gift of salvation as well as for guidance and empowerment to lead lives of holiness.

Do we daily pray for that guidance and empowerment, or do we seek to live in our own power? The prayer of our Collect today is that we would recognize our need for the Lord and that we would turn to him not just for salvation for but for guidance, protection, and divine wisdom.

May we surrender our hearts and our minds to him today. May we know his hand of protection over our lives as well as his transformative work in our minds. When we recognize our weakness, God can become strong in us and through us.

Reflection:
How would the Lord have you look to him today for strength, direction, and transformation?