The Almighty God
The omnipotence that belongs to God is difficult for the finite mind to grasp. It is unlike any power of mortals. Whatever man wills is not realized except by means. With God, means are unnecessary. He wills it and it is done. He says, "Let there be light" and there is light. Such is the incredible power that makes time stand still; that calms the stormy wind and waves with but a word and that causes even the dead to render ready response to its command. Truly, "great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend". (JOB.37:5) No wonder then the reference to Himself as "the almighty God" (GEN.17:1); the One with whom "all things are possible", as Jesus puts it (MAT.19:26).
Infinite power is complimented and directed by infinite wisdom, love and righteousness. Accordingly, such power is never used recklessly nor wrongfully. Every manifestation of Divine power is exactly as purposed by Divine wisdom; nothing is incidental or accidental. What God produced with His creative power was precisely what he willed ("And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good." GEN.1:31). Spiritually, man was made in a pure and perfect state; physically, "God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him". (lCO.12:18) Note: By Divine creative power, God set (from Gr. TITHEMI, "to put, to place") the various members in the human body -- they didn't get there a process of evolution! God is the first and efficient cause. Creation demands a creator; life a life-giver; law a law-giver; design a designer. Almighty God is all of these and more. Not only does God have the power to know all things at all times and the power to make something from nothing, He also has the unique power of presence -- the ability to be in all places at once. As Paul says, "He is not far from each one of us". (ACT.17: 27) His abiding presence is pictured by the Psalmist (139:3-12) and is implied by the writer of Hebrews in recalling His promise: "I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee", 13:5. Remembering that He is a witness to every thought, word and deed of every man ought to encourage a better conduct. In prayer we sometimes speak of "coming into His presence", but really, we never leave it. (Do we fear or appreciate His presence -- or both?)
Since God's power is immutable (unchanging, "eternal", ROM.1:20), it is never diminished nor abated in any way -- even when exercised through men. The power employed by the apostles was from "on high", which they readily acknowledged. (ACT.3:12; 15:12) How unusual then, that modern-day "faith-healers" who claim the same power from the same source should have such different results! Divine power never fails; it is instantaneous and complete, independent of the subject's faith. Many still err, "not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God". (MAT.22:29)
To believe in God is to believe in His great power, in His authority and sovereignty. He alone has the power to save and destroy (JAM.1:12; MAT.10: 28) -- and to provide all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 PE.1:3) He IS almighty!