Greater Power

Bible Reading

• 2 Chron 32
• John 17

Devotional Thoughts

I love the connection between the story of Hezekiah in 2 Chron 32:7-8 and Jesus prayer in John 17:15-17. In 2 Chron 32 Hezekiah was facing a huge army that had conquered several other nations (2 Chron 32:14). The king was cocky and proud. He was telling the people of Judah that their God was weak and that He was not able to protect them (2 Chron 32:16-19). But, Hezekiah encourages his people with these words, “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!”

In John 17 Jesus is praying for us to have a similar perspective. While Hezekiah encouraged his people with the truth that God is greater than mere men, and that He will fight the battle for them. Interestingly Jesus does not pray for us to be taken out of the world, or to be removed from the battle. Instead, he asked God not to remove us from the battle, but to keep us safe in the battle. (John 17:15) And what will keep us safe in the battle? Knowing the truth and living by the truth (holiness) (John 17:16-17).

This year, as I have read my daily Bible reading each day, I have prayed and asked God to reveal truth that He wants me to be declaring to myself from what I read. And as I have done that, I have always encouraged when I sit down to write the truths that God reveals. It truly is the truth that will enable us to remain strong in the midst of the battle.

As Jesus continues in his prayer, He focuses on a specific truth; He prays that we will know and experience His life in us! And that His life in us will produce unity. And furthermore, that our unity in Christ will show the world what God is like.

John 17:21-23 I pray that they will be one, just as you and I are one –as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

John 17:25-26 O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do: and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.

Declarations

• There is a power far greater on our side! We have Christ in us! There is nothing mere men can do to us without God’s permission.
• God does not promise to remove us from hardship and trials. But, Jesus Himself prayed that in the midst, we will remember the truth, and that we will live according to the truth! It is the truth that will give us rest and safety.
• As we know and experience His life in us, it should produce unity. Our unity in Christ will show the world what God is like.