Thursday, November 1, 2018

Limiting an All Powerful God

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy. How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan: And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.”

Psalm 78:40–44

We often speak of the unlimited power of God, and both the Bible and history are filled with examples of Him doing things that are impossible for people to accomplish. He is able to meet any need, answer any challenge, and defeat any foe. Yet this awesome power, which is infinite in its potential, can be limited by the actions of people. That is because God has given us the freedom to disobey Him if we choose. When we take that route, we limit not what He could do, but what He willdo.

The Children of Israel saw God’s power in the plagues of Egypt, in the parting of the Red Sea, and in the faithful provision of manna six days every week. They were given victory over military foes, direction through the desert, and God’s presence both day and night. Yet despite all that they had witnessed and received, they refused to enter the Promised Land because ten of the twelve spies that Moses sent told them the enemy was too big for God to conquer.

The victory Joshua enjoyed was available forty years before, but the people limited what God provided by their lack of faith. They could have had so much more. The victory had been promised, and God stood ready to back up His promise with action. None of the limits are on God’s end. But His unlimited power is only available to those who obey in faith.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

We should resolve to never be the one who limits what God does through a lack of faith.