David said, “Once God has spoken; Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God;” Ps 62:11.

Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon learned this principle after he said, “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” Daniel 4:30. God heard him and brought him down to such a humble and broken condition that for “seven periods of time” the king was driven from mankind and ate grass from the field like an animal. At the end of this period it says Nebuchadnezzar looked up and said, “my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:34. All great men, all proud men, all thinking men, all endowed men, and all men who are graced with good fortune need to know that their strength is fleeting and that it can be taken from them in a single moment. The king’s boast ought to be in the Almighty God who gave the ability to do great things.

Do you have power? It is from God. Is there power in the Universe? It is from God? All power that grows the blade of grass to that which moves the constellations is the power of God. The Creator spoke the word and all things came into being so that what is seen was made from what cannot be seen, Heb 11:3. This is why we bow to Jesus Christ because the Lord of heaven and earth is creator of it all, and “3and upholds all things by the word of His power.” Hebrews 1:3. All strength is not of man but God. Without God’s power, all would be powerless. This helps us to better understand the humble faith of Paul who said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Phil 4:13. Man is powerless to save himself. Man is powerless to do good and he will always fall short until he acknowledges the greatness of God and His power. Man may do great things but he is always tapping into God’s power. The glory and boast is not his to take, but it is God who made possible, and it is God who should be glorified. It is possible to appear powerful and to be counted as powerful by men. But all such men will pass from this earth and all remembrance of them and their works will be forgotten, Eccl 2:16. Why is God opposed to the proud? Because they arrogantly believe their greatness is of themselves. They commit the greatest evil of denying the Creator; but not only do they deny the gracious appeals of God, but they shake their fists at Him and proceed to deceive others. God is opposed to all but the humble who know their true state is pitiful. How much better it is to acknowledge our own powerless condition, and to humbly present ourselves before the Almighty God! Do you not know that God will humble you if you are proud? The Apostle Paul was given a thorn in the flesh so that he might boast in weakness and not in his power. Do you want a thorn? It is better to bow before Him and give Him honor for all He has done for you. Paul said, “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am strong.” 2 Cor. 12:10. God told Paul that “power is perfected in weakness” which means that if there is any power to be had, it must be God’s that comes through a meek and lowly spirit. You think you have power but you don’t. Not of yourself anyway. If you have power, do not engage in vain boasting or God will see and take it from you so that you learn while you still have a chance. And if you are humble, then God will exalt you.

Isaiah said, “28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable *. 29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:28-31.

Strength comes from the Lord if we will wait for Him.