If we put ourselves in the proper perspective, then let it be known: We can, but not without God. We are a force against the darkness of this world! But not without God. We are an army, marching toward victory – equipped with power and authority. However, it all comes from the Omnipotent King of Hosts.
Paul did not write that he could do all things. He wrote, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” However, the modern day Christian has left out the words, “through Christ.” Modernism looks inward instead of upward. They espouse the power of positive thinking or some self-proclamation of willful intent. Yet we know that without the Lord, we can do nothing!
Consider the contrast:
2 Chronicles 32:8 “With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles.”
Isaiah 62:8 “The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength…” The arm of flesh and the arm of the Lord, one entails humanism, intellectualism, and talent. The other is without limitation. The arm of the Lord is an infinite strength rising above the carnal mind. We are complete in Him and incomplete in ourselves. This truth is a counter-culture position which demands our attention.
God delivered His people by using the voice of Moses. We thank God for the opportunity to be used by Him. However, God can use anything and anyone. Acts 13:17 “The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.”
Jesus did it! The glory has been His all along. I cannot give to Him what never left Him. I can only declare that He is glorified in this house and in my life. Our collective praise is the voice of a blood-bought choir standing to declare that His arm is not short and His promises are not slack. We can conquer the enemy; take dominion over the devil; and do great exploits. We can defeat our fleshly nature and keep our families secure in the faith. It all comes by Jesus. We can, but not without Him!
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole