Trust
John 19:11 (New International Version)
11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above..."
I thought about power and trust this morning after reading chapter 19 of the book of John and some more of Philip Yancey's book on prayer.
The chapter in John takes the reader into the maelstrom of the hours before the crucifixion of Jesus. As governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate was a powerful man and no stranger to political maneuvering. He had offended the Jews more than once and managed to survive politically, but now he was caught in a situation from which there was no way out. He knew that there were no grounds to justify the punishment of crucifixion and in desperation and fear said to Jesus, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
Jesus' reply said everything there is to say about power. Man doesn't give power--God does.
Interestingly, what I read in Yancey's book on prayer was about helplessness. I've experienced coming to God in absolute desperation and helplessness--and found peace, answers and a way out when there seemed to be none.
This goes so much against the flow of our culture of independence, personal power and self reliance. Coming to God at the start of each day and declaring that without him we are helpless, could seem weak and powerless, but as Yancey says, if we lack the humility to do that, "All the while we are systematically sealing off the heart attitude most desirable to God and most descriptive of our true state in the universe."
Trust is placing ourselves, helpless and vulnerable, in the hands of another. We can only safely do that with God. As for power--I recognize how little I truly have when all is said and done.
I am content in knowing the One who is all powerful.
Isaiah 53:3 (New International Version)
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
11Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above..."
I thought about power and trust this morning after reading chapter 19 of the book of John and some more of Philip Yancey's book on prayer.
The chapter in John takes the reader into the maelstrom of the hours before the crucifixion of Jesus. As governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate was a powerful man and no stranger to political maneuvering. He had offended the Jews more than once and managed to survive politically, but now he was caught in a situation from which there was no way out. He knew that there were no grounds to justify the punishment of crucifixion and in desperation and fear said to Jesus, "Do you refuse to speak to me? Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"
Jesus' reply said everything there is to say about power. Man doesn't give power--God does.
Interestingly, what I read in Yancey's book on prayer was about helplessness. I've experienced coming to God in absolute desperation and helplessness--and found peace, answers and a way out when there seemed to be none.
This goes so much against the flow of our culture of independence, personal power and self reliance. Coming to God at the start of each day and declaring that without him we are helpless, could seem weak and powerless, but as Yancey says, if we lack the humility to do that, "All the while we are systematically sealing off the heart attitude most desirable to God and most descriptive of our true state in the universe."
Trust is placing ourselves, helpless and vulnerable, in the hands of another. We can only safely do that with God. As for power--I recognize how little I truly have when all is said and done.
I am content in knowing the One who is all powerful.
Isaiah 53:3 (New International Version)
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Comments
it sounds good but its not true.cause if we can help our selves we dont need him.
and there isnt a one of us who can make it on our own.
the way I learned the most from the Lord was when I was in a big mess.
some times Id end up in this place like a dark cave.I wouldnt know how the heck I got there.Id try for a while to find my way out.but if you have ever been in a dark cave for real.you know if you dont know your way,your in deep trouble.
Id get scared and say Jesus I dont know how I got here but you know how I can get out.Id reach up through the darkness and say" here is my hand lead me Lord."and soon he would have me in the sun shine again.
that has happened many times in my life.its at those times he is saying little girl its me who leads you.dont step ahead of me just take my hand.
caves or storms or what ever way we learn to trust him is emportant.it shows us we need him all the time.
God bless you all.Belinda thanks for stopping on my blog.
Susan thanks for your comment on my blog.it gives me the faith to keep on writing the way the Lord helps me.God bless.
I enjoy reading the blogs posts.