Topical Bible: The Power of God: Saints: Supported in Affliction By

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The power of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, manifesting in various ways to support, sustain, and deliver His people, especially during times of affliction. The saints, those who are set apart for God's purposes, often experience God's power most profoundly when they face trials and tribulations. Scripture provides numerous examples of how God's power is made perfect in weakness, offering comfort and strength to His people.

Divine Presence and Comfort

One of the most significant ways God supports His saints in affliction is through His abiding presence. In Psalm 34:18, we read, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit" . This verse highlights God's proximity to those who are suffering, assuring them that they are not alone. The presence of God brings peace and reassurance, as seen in Isaiah 41:10: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness" .

Strength in Weakness

The Apostle Paul provides a profound insight into how God's power is displayed in human weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul recounts the Lord's words to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness" . This declaration underscores the principle that God's strength is most evident when human strength fails. Paul embraces this truth, stating, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Deliverance and Protection

Throughout the Bible, God demonstrates His power by delivering His saints from peril. The account of Daniel in the lion's den is a classic example. Daniel 6:22 records Daniel's testimony: "My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight" . Similarly, the deliverance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace in Daniel 3 illustrates God's protective power. They emerged unharmed, and the king declared, "There is no other god who can deliver in this way" (Daniel 3:29).

Provision and Sustenance

God's power is also evident in His provision for His people during times of need. In the wilderness, God provided manna from heaven to sustain the Israelites (Exodus 16). In the New Testament, Jesus feeds the five thousand with five loaves and two fish, demonstrating God's ability to provide abundantly (Matthew 14:13-21). These acts of provision reveal God's care and His power to meet the needs of His people, even in seemingly impossible situations.

Hope and Future Glory

The power of God not only supports the saints in their present afflictions but also assures them of future glory. Romans 8:18 offers hope: "I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us" . This promise of future glory provides strength and encouragement, reminding believers that their trials are temporary and that God's ultimate plan is for their good and His glory.

Intercession of the Holy Spirit

In times of affliction, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in supporting the saints. Romans 8:26 states, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words" . The Spirit's intercession ensures that the saints are upheld and that their needs are brought before the Father, even when they cannot articulate them themselves.

In summary, the power of God is a source of immense support for the saints in their afflictions. Through His presence, strength, deliverance, provision, hope, and the intercession of the Holy Spirit, God demonstrates His unwavering commitment to His people, ensuring that they are never left to face their trials alone.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 6:7
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 1:8
Be not you therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be you partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Third Season
... shall rage yet longer and wear out the saints of the ... Do their enemies want malice,
power, or opportunity ... the great advantages attending the people of God in an ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iii the third season.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... the Gospel"these honorably may be called the saints, destined, even ... to eternal light
and joy in God's kingdom. "Who delivered us out of the power of darkness ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm

The Character and Supports of Widows Indeed.
... up themselves to trust in God, the saints pour out ... So the child of God, stripped
of other supports, spreads ... grief before him who possesses all power, and is ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiv the character and.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... he shall in due time perfect his saints, and present ... that which is truly the word
of God, since it contains within itself the highest degree of power, and is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

What and Whence are These?
... that all flesh of man has the same power to suffer ... to mean the one long tribulation
of God's Saints in all ... sufferings of the body of Christ; the saints in glory ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/what and whence are these.htm

The Doctrine of God
... He desires us to see not His hand and finger, denoting His power and skill, nor
even ... More to the mercy of God than to the perseverance of the saints is to ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

Light through Darkness.
... shall be given to the people of the saints of the ... of Christ in the clouds of heaven
with power and great ... first angel's message of Rev.14:7, "Fear God, and give ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /19 light through darkness.htm

Light through Darkness
... shall be given to the people of the saints of the ... Christ in the clouds of heaven
with power and great ... angel's message of Revelation 14:7: "Fear God, and give ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 19 light through darkness.htm

Smith -- Assurance in God
... that is outside Thee or outside the saints that are ... tempted to doubt God's providence
and God's power to help ... God meant to him treason toward God's people; and ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/smith assurance in god.htm

This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch
... Do thou too imitate these saints, and cease not ... but Satan hindered us." [1074] And
God permitted it ... thus revealing the more abundantly His power, and showing ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i this homily was.htm