Seek The Power That Jehovah Gives

Jehovah can empower his servants as well as protect them. The Bible urges us to "search for Jehovah and his strength." (Psalm105:4) Why? Because when we do things in God's strength, our power will be used for the benefit, rather than the harm, of others. Nowhere do we find a better example of this than in Jesus Christ, who performed many miracles in "Jehovah's power." )Luke 5:17) Jesus could have dedicated himself to becoming rich, famous, or even an all-powerful king. (Luke 4:5-7) Instead, he used the power God gave him to train and to teach, to help and to heal. (Mark 7:37; John 7:46) What a fine example for us!

Furthermore, when we do things in "the strength that God supplies," this will help us to keep humble. (1 Peter 4:11) Men who seek power for themselves become presumptuous. A case in point is Assyrian King Esar-haddon, who boastfully declared: "I am powerful, I am all powerful, I am a hero, I am gigantic, I am colossal." In contrast, Jehovah "chose the weak things of he world, that he might put the strong things to shame." Thus, if a true Christian boasts, he boasts in Jehovah, for he knows that what he has done has not been accomplished in his own strength. 'Humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God' will bring true exaltation. -1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 1 Peter 5:6,

How do we draw on God's strength? First of all, we have to ask for it in prayer. Jesus assured his disciples that his Father would give holy spirit to those requesting it. (Luke 11:10-13) Consider hos this imbued Christ's disciples with power when they chose to obey God rather than the religious leaders who had ordered them to stop witnessing about Jesus. When they prayed for Jehovah's help, their sincere prayer was answered, and holy spirit empowered them to continue preaching the good news with boldness. -Acts 4:19, 20, 29-31, 33.

Next time: Conclusion of Seek The Power That Jehovah Gives

Awake! 2000