perfect power
"The Lord's power shall be known to His servants." —Isaiah 66:14
Incredibly, the all-powerful God has chosen to share His power with us! In Christ, He has given us "power to tread on...all the forces of the enemy" (Lk 10:19). We have so much power that in Jesus even the demons are subject to us (Lk 10:17). Jesus has even sent the Holy Spirit so that we, His disciples, can be "clothed with power from on high" (Lk 24:49).
God has let us share in His awesome power. However, in His mercy, He has chosen to grant us an even greater, more efficacious power: the power of redemptive suffering, especially as manifested in the power of the cross. "The message of the cross is complete absurdity to those who are headed for ruin, but to us who are experiencing salvation it is the power of God" (1 Cor 1:18). The gospel of the cross of Christ "is the power of God leading everyone who believes in it to salvation" (Rm 1:16).
When we obey Jesus' command to deny our very self and take up our daily cross (Lk 9:23), we abandon our lives into God's hands (Ps 31:6). Then God says to us: "My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection" (2 Cor 12:9). Willingly live in the weakness of the cross, so "that the power of Christ may rest upon" you (2 Cor 12:9).
Prayer: Father, may I willingly take up my daily cross so I may come to know and exercise the immeasurable scope of Your power in me (Eph 3:20).
Promise: "May I never boast of anything but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through it the world has been crucified to me and I to the world." —Gal 6:14
Praise: Praise You, Jesus, "the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn 11:25). Your obedience on the cross was glorified through Your resurrection. Alleluia!
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 29, 2009
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