greatest power

​Love is the greatest power in heaven and on earth. The following scripture in the book of Numbers is an exchange of conversation between Moses and God. Numbers 14:17-18 EasyEnglish “But now, I am praying. And I am asking you to show how powerful you are. Please do as you promised to do. You said, I, the LORD, do not get angry easily. My people can trust me to love them very much always. I forgive people if they sin. And I forgive them if they do not obey me. But I do punish people for the wrong things that they do. And I do say that people’s children, their grandchildren, and their grandchildren’s children are guilty because of their sin.” We are preparing to begin a new year, and as a reminder, we must keep in front of us the love that God has for His people. I particularly want to make note of the attributes God speaks of as it relates to His power. 

First, He does not easily anger. We can take a course in this one. When we are disappointed, anger seems to be the first emotion that is portrayed. But if we can grasp that to not get angry is a show of power and an act of love how much progress will we make on the journey. 

The second powerful action is trust. The ability to be trusted even when we are the ones at fault and to know God’s trust is uncompromising. Note those who He loves understand that trust and know even when it is undeserved. 

The next and most challenging is that of forgiveness. He forgives even when we don’t obey. In a fallen kingdom, that is an attribute of love that is hard to understand and believe. The power and freedom that come with forgiveness show the real power in love. How often we can cut off or no longer love those who disappoint us. Now someone would immediately say that this is not power but weakness.  

Any punishment for some is also not considered love but look at the verse. “But I do punish people for the wrong things that they do.” Anger must be controlled, trust maintained and forgiveness extended to show true power, but along with that our Father will punish us for the wrong things we do. The consequences are visited in the form of iniquities on our children and grandchildren and our great-grandchildren. In light of the punishment, before we transition from this year to the next can the challenge be to walk in the power that was given and shown to us and give and show it to others. 

In the conversation between God and Moses, others were watching. The nations around were watching God and how He dealt with His people. How much more are people watching us and how we deal with those we love. Whether in the words of Job, David, or any of the Bible prophets, the mercy (LOVE) extended is beyond any power known to man. This power can stop disputes, end wars, and reunite families. The power of Trust, Forgiveness, and controlling anger is the act of showing the power of love. Think of all those who have disappointed you in this year, those who you no longer believe deserve your trust or forgiveness, then in the act of true power, love them. 

Moses started this conversation in prayer. Can we also pray as it relates to those, we have been given the privilege to demonstrate love to? Nelson Rockefeller quoted, “The most powerful force on Earth is love.” Take the time today to exercise the power within you and to show it in the forms listed above.  God bless you, my beloved. Have a great day.