The Power to Accomplish

October 6

Some people appear to be completely without resources for survival on the most elemental level. We see documentaries that detail the constraints of their meager existence and we wonder how they manage to trudge from one dreary, empty day to another. We are stunned by the magnitude of their poverty.

And we don’t realize that we are surrounded by people in well-appointed homes, who are wearing fashionable, lovely clothing, and enjoying the finest quality foods every day who are equally devoid of the real sustenance of life. Their poverty may not be evident to the eye, but it is every bit as real and it is ultimately more devastating than financial destitution.

Our ability to help those trapped in either set of circumstances is limited. Yes, we may donate money to organizations that reach out to the poverty stricken of the world, but beyond that, our opportunities to assist them out of their dire straits are impeded by time and distance and borders and political red tape. We are considerably challenged as well regarding the ‘starving rich,’ the people living in plenty who are spiritually languishing but don’t even recognize their need.

Though we may be unable to make a difference, David affirms in Psalm 72:12, “God will deliver the needy who cry out to Him. He will help the afflicted.” We must pray that the needy—the financially impoverished and the spiritually bereft—recognize their need for Jesus, the full Supply for all they lack. The power of prayer can pull down the effects of a troubled economy or of spiritual blindness. We have the power to accomplish through faith in Jesus what we have no ability to do in the strength of our humanity.