“in word and deed … in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God …” (Rom 15:18b-19a, NKJ)
The next gift of the Spirit is described as the “workings of miracles” (ASV), “miraculous results” (ISV), “mighty deeds” (YLT) and “the exercise of miraculous powers” (WNT).
When it states in Mic 3:8 that “… I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord …” then it shows a connection that is often placed together: Spirit and power. For example, in Luke 1:17 it is prophesied that the end-time bride will move “in the spirit and power of Elijah”. The well-known Acts 1:8 states it like this: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” The Greek for “power” is dunamis, from which you’ll recognise the word ‘dynamo’. This power causes things to come into motion and it always results in the shining of light, just like our old bicycle dynamos! When miracles are performed, then the light of the kingdom of God shines! “Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” (Matt 13:43).
Paul makes a crucially important statement in 1 Cor 4:20: “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” (Also see 1 Thess 1:5.) That is why most believers have “a form of godliness but [deny] its power …” (2 Tim 3:5).
Remember, the power always belongs to God (“For Yours is the kingdom and the power …” – Matt 6:13) and to His Anointed (1 Cor 5:4) and “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power …” (Eph 1:19).
Taking all this into account, God wants to release this wonderworking power in a far greater measure in our time. He “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us …” (Eph 3:20). Begin to trust Him to make the impossible possible – that is the essence of this gift of the Spirit. And: don’t despise the day of small beginnings (Zach 4:10)!
- Sela: Ponder Mark 9:23: “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” and find the link between yesterday and today’s gifts of the Spirit.
- Read: Gen 47; Ps 47; Matt 17
- Memorise: Matt 17:11
- Going deeper: Read Smith Wiggelsworth on spiritual gifts.
