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Refreshment in Refuge

    by Gina Burgess

Kôach
Date Posted: May 28, 2023

Vigor, to be firm, might, power, strength, wealth—this is what the Hebrew word kôach means. This is just one facet of our God.

 

Psalm 5:11 But let all who put their trust in You rejoice; let them shout for joy forever, because You cover them. And let those who love Your name be joyful in You.

 

Romans 15:13  And may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, for you to abound in hope, in power of the Holy Spirit.

What greater power is there in the universe?  Genesis 1:2-3 the Spirit of God was moving gently over the face of the waters. John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” All things were created through Jesus Christ. What awesome power that is. “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord God of Hosts,” wrote Zechariah in chapter four.

God's asks a lot of us. We can't see Him. We can't touch Him. Why should we believe Him, trust Him, have faith in Him?

Because He said so. Humans should believe, trusth and have faith in Him because He is God and all He says is Truth; and because He has all the authority beyond the universe is in His name, because He created authority. Especially, because He first loved us.

If that isn't enough, then there is plenty of evidence that He is real, that He does exactly what He says He'll do, and that He answers our prayers, that He loved us enough to die for us. There is no greater love than that, except He also loved us enough to rise from the dead. He is alive, back from the dead and that, my friends, is a feat great enough to silence the most scornful voice.

Paul wrote the Romans, in chapter 5:8-9. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. But even greater than that, he wrote 4:24 They [scriptures of Abraham’s faith] were written for us, since we will also be accepted because of our faith in God, who raised our Lord Jesus to life. 25 God gave Jesus to die for our sins, and he raised him to life, so that we would be made acceptable to God.

Abraham’s faith that God would do as He promised was actually certainty of God. God had been faithful to Abraham in the little things, such as keeping him safe in his travels so how much more Abraham knew that God would keep his promise that through Isaac would be born nations.

Is there a power greater than that which raised Jesus from the dead?

 

Revelation 4:11 tells us that the LORD is worthy to receive all honor, glory and praise. No other was found to be worthy. The Lamb who was slain was found worthy. All things were created by Him and for His great pleasure.

 

Hebrews 11:6 tells us that our faith (belief) brings Him pleasure, without it no one can please Him. It is a simple thing, yet so hard.

It is easy to believe there is God. He created the heavens and the earth in all their glory. The universe is vast beyond our wildest imaginings, but the Bible tells us that it can be measured by his hand's breadth. A newborn's cry is a testimony to God's presence for He created life. His signature is in the stars for He named each one of the billions of billions of stars. His majesty is evident in the photos the Hubble telescope takes. The dogwood's flower gives testimony.

But to believe God. That is harder to do. When you don't "feel" the presence of God, how do you know He's there?

That is when we must go with what we know rather than our feelings. I love to remember the times we have had together and to draw my comfort from those things He has done for me, from the fact He has never failed me, ever. I know He will fulfill His promises because of all the promises He has already fulfilled. He made the sun stand still. He made the wet bottom of the sea dry as toast. He caused it to rain, and He caused the rain to dry up. He raised Jesus from the dead.

That kind of power flows through Him and yet, He is mindful of me. He knows my name and how many hairs are on my head and the number which are gray and the number which are brown. It matters not to Him how many wrinkles I have, for He has taken me Just As I Am. He knows your wrinkles and your peculiarities and the sins you’ve committed in the dark recesses of your mind, but loves you deeply anyway.

Is there a power greater than raising Someone from the dead? Perhaps it is reason that Jesus rose which is more powerful. God told Job in essence, “Little man, I brought you into this world and I can take you out of this world. Who are you to judge My actions?”

Only God has the power to change lives, the power to forgive the blackest of sin, the power of mercy, the power of grace. Without those, Jesus would not have risen from the dead for He wouldn't have given Himself as sacrifice; and the whole character of God would have been different. Praise God we need not contemplate that, because Jesus is even now alive, at the Father’s right hand interceding for us in the kindest way.

Though the storm rages, we are to be at peace for our Father is at hand and He will cover us with His wings of protection. Paul said it best…

 

Romans 5:1 By faith we have been made acceptable to God. And now, because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God. 2Christ has also introduced us to God's undeserved kindness on which we take our stand. So we are happy, as we look forward to sharing in the glory of God. 3But that's not all! We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. 4And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope 5 that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.

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Biography Information:

Gina Burgess has taught Sunday School and Discipleship Training for almost three decades. (Don't tell her that makes her old.) She earned her Master's in Communication in 2013.

She is the author of several books including: When Christians Hurt Christians, The Crowns of the Believers and others available in online bookstores. She authors several columns, using her God-given talent to shine a light in a dark world. You can browse her blog at Refreshment In Refuge.

If you'd like to take a look at some Christian fiction and Christian non-fiction book reviews check out Gina's book reviews at Upon

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