Powerless But Not Helpless

Jeremiah 17:19 NASB
“Lord, my strength and my stronghold,
And my refuge in the day of distress,
To You the nations will come
From the ends of the earth and say,
“Our fathers have inherited nothing but falsehood,
Futility, and things of no benefit.”

I don’t know if you are like me but when I see what is unfolding in the Ukraine and realize that I, in and of myself, am not able to change that which needs to be changed, I experience a sense of powerless, seeing physical might orchestrated by evil, impose their will on those who would choose and have chosen, not to have the will of another, imposed upon them. And I lift them up in prayer, because I would not wish that on anyone. I’ve been there myself too many times. 

But that is not the only area where I feel powerless. There are many areas, frequently external and often within. I am powerless to change the mind of another who strongly opposes my reasoning. I am powerless to consistently curb the selfish and prideful nature of my mind and powerless to change that which I have absolutely no control over. Powerless, as in without meaningful influence to change, in and of myself. 

But, I am not helpless. Helpless, as in NOT having a source that can and will help me in my time of distress, in my lack of comprehension, in my inability to address that which needs to be addressed or changed. I don’t always know which way to go, but I know Who does. I don’t alway understand that which is before me, but I know Who does and I don’t always know how to overcome that which would bring me down, both externally and internally, but I know Who does. 

1 John 4:4 NASB
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” Emphasis is mine.

John 16:29-33 NASB
“His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Emphasis is mine.

And Whose Spirit resides within us? The Spirit of our living God. Today, right now, as we live and breath. And GREATER IS HE WHO IS WITHIN US, THAT HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD. That is a reality!

And where is our peace? In Jesus, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, sent by our Father, to show us of Himself. Jesus, who conquered death for you and for me. Yes, THAT Jesus is our peace!

If we are in the world, will we have tribulation? Yes we will, but we are in the world and not of this world. And most importantly, what we see, hear of and experience now, in this world, is merely the prelude to what is to come. God’s will, will prevail. He will be glorified, He will be exulted. We have the word of Jesus on this, He told us that He had overcome the world. That’s God’s perspective and His perspective matters over all others. 

So there may be times when I feel powerless and that is OK. I may be powerless, in and of myself but I am NOT without help, because the Spirit of the living God lives within me. There may be times when I do not comprehend all that I see or hear around me, but I know who does and He is my shepherd, my rock, my source, that cannot and will not fail. I don’t need to understand it all. God does. I don’t need to see it change according to my thoughts and ways that I think should work. That would be my will, and I understand, first hand, how that frequently does not work out as I perceive it will. But Gods ways and God’s thoughts will unfold and accomplish His will. Of that you can be sure!

So I will acknowledge my King, I will acknowledge my Lord and trust in Him. When push comes to shove, that is really all we are asked to do. Trust in Him.

Worthy is the Lamb. Blessings!