Experience the mighty power of God each time you read His Word.
Romans 1:16–17 (NIV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” |
Listen to passage & devotional:
Belgic Confession of Faith, Article 2: The Means by Which We Know God
We know him by two means:
First, by the creation, preservation, and government
of the universe,
since that universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book
in which all creatures,
great and small,
are as letters to make us ponder
the invisible things of God:
his eternal power
and his divinity,
as the apostle Paul says in Romans 1:20.
All these things are enough to convict men
and to leave them without excuse.
Second, he makes himself known to us more openly [clearly and fully]
by his holy and divine Word,
as much as we need in this life,
for his glory
and for the salvation of his own.
Summary
As we've begun this new year, we've been answering life's most important question: who and what is God? As we looked at God's attributes, we came to understand that God is wholly other; that is, as the creator of all things, He's distinct and separate from that which He created. This means that unless He reveals Himself to you, you would not really know anything about Him.
So it makes sense that as we follow the outline of our Confession, that this week we focused on how it is that God makes Himself known: He does so generally, as every aspect of His creation proclaims His glory, and also more specifcally, by telling us very detailed things about Himself in His written Word.
But as we've noticed so many times already, God doesn't tell us these things just because it's interesting or adds insight into how we ought to live in this world He's made for us (although it's both of those things!). God tells you these things because He wants you to know one thing in particular: the Gospel, which literally means "good news."
This good news that God has made so much effort for you to know is that the perfect righteousness that you need in order to live at peace with Him is available to you through faith alone.
Dig Deeper
Think of all the massive things in creation that could be accurately described as being the power of God: The Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, mighty oceans, far off galaxies, the verdant upper Midwest (you knew I'd throw that in!). Out of all of the possible candidates, there is only one thing the Bible repeatedly refers to as the power of God: the gospel "that brings salvation to everyone who believes."
If you were planning a trip to see one of God's amazing created wonders, you'd likely eagerly anticipate it by researching the location, planning your activities once you arrived, and getting whatever supplies and equipment you'd need for the adventure. Then you'd take lots of pictures and tell all your friends and relatives about what you saw.
You're likely reading this at the end of another work week, which means the Lord's Day is right around the corner, when you get to gather with the saints and once again experience the mighty power of God as you hear His gospel proclaimed. Anticipate it! Eagerly plan for it by reading the text(s) ahead of time which you'll hear preached! Make sure you're ready for the adventure by resting well on Saturday!
Doing so will help you experience God's power in a way that will make you want to share what you experienced when you return to begin a new week.
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our mighty Father, whose greatest power is demonstrated in the Gospel that brings salvation;
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you'll anticipate experiencing this power each day as you read the Bible, and especially on the Lord's Day when you hear it proclaimed;
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
Read the New Testament in a year! Today: Mark 15
