Gleanings for May 3

DUNAMIS -- POWER

Acts 4: 33 NKJV: “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”

“With GREAT POWER” the verse tells us, the apostles shared about the resurrection of Jesus. The Greek word for “power” is “dunamis” which means “energy, great strength, might and great ability.”

Strong’s Commentary says: “Compare dynamic, dynamite and dynamometer. The “dunamis” in Jesus resulted in dramatic transformations. This is the nom for Spirit-filled people and for a Spirit-led church.”

We noted in an earlier lesson that it is the same “dunamis” that raised Jesus from the dead which is now alive in those who are believers in Him. The verse we are centering on today adds this word:

“And great GRACE was upon them all.” Generally most believers know that “grace” is defined as “the unmerited favor of God.” My thought would be, that without God’s GRACE or favor on our lives, the “power” we have been given would loose the real effectiveness it was meant to have.

A comment from my Bible says this: “Just as God in mercy saves us by His grace, so that grace is manifested in great dynamic where the Holy Spirit is at work in power.” The comment then refers to Zechariah 4: 7 which gives us an illustration of this truth:

A “mountain” or hindrance was trying to stop the prophet of God as the big task of rebuilding of the temple was in progress. The “mountain” could have been discouragement of the builders or people; possibly even some outside opposition. However the prophet was not to be denied! Here are his words:

“Who are you, O Great Mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the final stone with shouts of “GRACE, GRACE to it.” That powerful confession followed a word he had heard the Lord speak: Verse 6: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: NOT BY MIGHT nor by POWER, but by MY SPIRIT,” says the Lord of hosts.”

It was “the Word of the Lord” that brought confidence to Zerubbabel so he could know every obstacle had to go; the task was ordered by God Himself.

Are you facing a “mountain” in your life right now? If you are, you too can speak “grace” to obstacles that seem so large. As you do that, you are drawing on the Power of Almighty God. As you speak, the work becomes HIS—“by His gracious power and for His great glory.” (Footnote quotation)

A scripture we have shared before is once again appropriate:

“Casting ALL your cares on HIM because HE CARES FOR YOU”. In reality, as you speak “GRACE” to any difficulty you may encounter, you ARE “casting your cares” on the Lord.

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!!!