But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
In 1982, our sons were seven and six years old, precisely the target market for the new animated series “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.” One viewing and they were superfans. They were certain their lives wouldn’t be complete without having every He-Man toy character and all the equipment needed for the many “epic battles of the ages” that routinely occurred throughout a He-Man’s day.
With their He-Man figurines in full battle regalia and combat underway, I would smile when I heard their frequent war cries, “I have the power!”
“I have the Power!”
This fun memory of our sons’ “He-Man and Masters of the Universe” period came to mind as I considered a passage in 2 Kings 14 and a corresponding passage in 2 Chronicles 25.
At the ripe old age of twenty-five, Amaziah ascended to the throne of Judah. Amaziah, like his father Joash, followed God and did many great things for the people of Judah,
But that’s only part of his story.
And he [Amaziah] did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart. 2 Chronicles 25:2 ESV
The Edomite army threatened Judah. Fearing Judah’s army was too weak to win, King Amaziah hired 100,000 mighty men from Ephraim (Israel) to join forces with Judah.
A prophet of God delivered a message warning Amaziah:
- You can’t trust Ephraim (Israel) as a battle partner.
- God is not with Israel or its armies.
- Don’t worry about the money you paid to hire Ephraim’s army; God will replace that.
- God is on Judah’s side, and He will fight for you.
“But go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy? For God has power to help or to cast down.” 2 Chronicles 25:8 ESV
Amaziah listened to the prophet, fired Ephraim’s army, and went to battle trusting God. God gave Judah’s army an amazing victory.
When King Amaziah returned from the battle, he brought back the gods and idols of the people he had just defeated. He set them up in Judah as gods and began to worship them.
Comment: It makes no sense whatsoever! Why in the world would Amaziah bring back the defeated gods who couldn’t protect the people who worshipped them? Instead, he ignored Jehovah God, who had given Judah the victory. This wasn’t the first time it had happened in the history of the kings of Judah and Israel, nor was it the last.
Meanwhile, Ephraim’s army, angered that they had been excluded from the battle, took revenge by attacking several of Judah’s cities, ransacking and looting the cities and murdering 3,000 citizens.
When King Amaziah learned of Ephraim’s brutal attack, Amaziah decided to declare war on all of Israel. Partly because of Ephraim’s reprehensible actions, but mostly because Amaziah was feeling cocky in his power – sure he was unstoppable. He had the Power!
He wouldn’t listen when the King of Israel tried to stop him, declaring there was no need to go to war.
He wouldn’t listen when the prophet returned to deliver God’s message of disapproval, anger, and extreme displeasure over Amaziah’s idol worship. God would not favor Judah if they went into battle with Israel.
But pride-filled Amaziah was resolute – He was going to war against all of Israel.
“I HAVE THE POWER!”
That was Amaziah’s spirit. A man who had once served God and the people of Judah well.
A man who now claimed credit for the great results accomplished entirely by the power of Almighty God.
In the end, Judah was savagely defeated and torn apart. Amaziah was taken prisoner by Israel. He was eventually released and then put to death by the people of Judah, who knew Amaziah had betrayed them and God when he brought idols into the land.
Beware lest you say in your heart, “My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.” Deuteronomy 8:17 ESV
Amaziah, what happened to “your” power? How did you lose your great power?
Simple answer. It was never yours. You never had the power. God’s power and His favor blessed you and gave you victory in battle.
Amaziah, the power was not yours. The victory was not yours. You were the beneficiary of God’s power.
Does this story sound familiar?
It certainly does to me.
Too many times, I have taken credit for a good outcome in a bad situation that, in truth, was due only to God’s grace and mercy.
I’ve found that if I do that enough times, I start to believe that I really was the one who powered through the seemingly impossible situation to a successful outcome.
Wow! Look at me…I HAVE THE POWER!!
Here’s what I’ve learned.
When I take credit for what God is doing in my life and for any good results I might achieve, I am walking on dangerous ground.
When I attempt to take what belongs to God – thanksgiving, honor, praise, recognition of His almighty power – and try to make it mine. I’m trying to replace God in my life with all sorts of idols—with me at the top of the idol list.
At those times, my behavior was no better than Amaziah’s. His idols may have been made of wood, bronze, or gold, but my idols were just as real. And they were just as offensive—just as reprehensible—as Amaziah’s were to God.
God will not tolerate taking second place to idols of any sort in the hearts of His children. He will not give His glory to anyone.
I am the LORD; that is My name; My glory I give to no other, nor My praise to carved idols. Isaiah 42:8 ESV
God loves us too much to leave us in a state of rebellion, which is exactly what it is when we place ourselves and our desires above God and His plans for us.
He will gently rebuke, patiently guide, and lovingly speak to get our attention. But when we refuse to listen and insist on going our own way, we may find ourselves face-slammed flat out on the ground.
It’s a humbling position. I know—I’ve been there, done that, and pray that I never find myself in that position again.
Awesome is God from His sanctuary; the God of Israel–He is the One who gives power and strength to His people. Blessed be God! Psalm 68:35 ESV
Have you ever found yourself claiming a victory that belonged to God?