He who supplies the power gets the glory

2 Peter 1:3–5 “3His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith…”

It can be disappointing and frustrating to need power and not have it. Push the button on a flashlight, and nothing happens in spite of multiple attempts. Flip a light switch after arriving home, and the entryway remains dark. Go to another room and flipping that switch makes no difference. Open the vehicle door, and there’s no interior light. Turn the key in the ignition and see no dash lights and the starter is silent. The expectation for something to happen exists, but when there is no power nothing happens.

The same is true spiritually. Function and expectation may be understood, but without supernatural power, nothing happens. What can be done to please God, apart from God? Nothing. Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-10, “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

There are many reasons why understanding our reliance on divine power is essential, but one biblical reason is summed up in the following statement. “He who supplies the power gets the glory.” The power for life and godliness is completely reliant on God because God gets all the glory (Isaiah 48:11). It is by God’s grace and mercy people are “called to his own glory and excellence,” and it is to the glory of His excellence that those who stand in His saving grace are granted “his precious and very great promises,” enabling their deliverance from corruption caused by evil desires. Because this is true, when we flip the switch of learning, we see things by supernatural light and when the ignition is engaged our spiritual engine fires enabling our advancement in obedience and others-oriented growth in our faith. The blessing of “divine power” grants us the ability to “make every effort” to be fruitful as we mature in the faith.

Child of God, you have the power to abide securely in His saving grace and to walk in truth and righteousness. Take God at His word. You will grow in the knowledge of His promises, you will display fruitful faith, and God will get all the glory for His divine power!