Powerful God

Proclaim the power of God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose power is in the heavens. (Psalm 68:34 NIV)

How do you prefer to address God in prayer?  I hear "Gracious God" a lot... also "Merciful God," "Loving God," or "Compassionate God."  What I don't tend to hear much is, "Almighty God," or "Powerful God."

I think it may have to do with the way we have begun to percieve power.  People have turned it into something very unpleasant.  People abuse power.  With power, they abuse and control others.  Some people that are given a little authority take it to almost humorous extremes, while those with real power in our world give themselves over to greed and lust and sell their power, hurting the weakest.

We don't want to think of our God like that.  Nor should we.  Too much power in human hands is dangerous.  But complete power in God's hands is wonderful!  What good is grace, mercy, love and compassion without the perfect power to execute them?

When we imagine God's power, we usually think of a raging storm or pounding ocean waves.  But there is a stronger power that is felt rather than seen.  We feel it in peaceful surroundings.  We feel it when we listen to good music.  We feel it when we hold a sleeping infant.  We feel it in love.

A violent storm can take down cities, but focused, unrelenting love can change the whole world.  That is true power.  God is love.  That is His power and might and omnipotence.

Almighty and Ever Powerful God,
Fill this world with your power.  Let us feel it in everything we do and everywhere we go.  Amen.

Joys:  Holding and feeding Emma; a day off with no obligations; maybe a hike? :)