Day 147, Year 1

Seeking the Lord’s Face and Power

“Your God has commanded your strength; Show Yourself strong, O God, who have acted on our behalf.” (Psalm 68:28 NASB)

“Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.” (Psalm 105:4 NASB)

The previous devotionals advocated that as believers increase God’s knowledge, we will eventually experience His power. And by no means should we reject the power that comes from God, for as the first verse of today states, the strength of His people is given by Him. Those who belong to God should fully embrace whatever He grants, be it knowledge, power, wisdom, grace, etc. Since all that comes from God should be received, we can accomplish what He has commissioned. This allows us to experience the abundant life in His promise.

The word “strength” in both verses of today is translated from the Hebrew word ‘oz, meaning “strong” here. In my observation, there was an unhealthy phenomenon among some Christians, where some believers only pursued power, some only pursued knowledge, and some even were content to live in weakness. But a normal believer is one who, as Proverbs 24:5 (NKJV) states, “of knowledge increases strength.” The second half of the first verse indicates that God’s people need to ask Him to show His work strong on our behalf. In my opinion, the psalmist is asking God to exercise His power in order to solidify His promises to His people. Humans’ doubts and unbelief could diminish or destroy God’s work among us. It is precisely at these times that we should ask Him to grant us the power to fulfill His promises in our lives and fortify His work on earth. One key for God’s work to be firmly established is the presence of His power. Indeed, we need His power to successfully follow Jesus until the end, for the devil will attack and tempt us with its evil power. Who would say that God’s power is not necessary for believers?

The second verse of today encourages God’s people to seek His power and His face. Seeking God’s face could be understood as seeking His presence through praise and worship. Seeking God and seeking His power are indeed inseparable. But if we seek only God’s presence while rejecting His power, it will ultimately weaken His work in our lives, leaving issues like doubt, fear, and disbelief unresolved. According to the Old Testament, when God’s face is turned toward His people, He grants them grace and help. And God’s salvation is always a manifestation of His power. We should ask the Lord to strengthen our faith so that His will can be completely fulfilled in our lives through His mighty power.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you think that your own strength is given by God? Why?

2) Do you always seek God’s power to solve issues of doubt, fear, and disbelief, etc., so that you can always seek His face?