Philippians 3:10.
In passing through this world the Christian has not only to meet the trials and difficulties that are common to men, but has also to face the exercises and afflictions of spiritual conflict. Our conflict is "not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." All these enemies were ranged together against the Lord Jesus at the cross, and through men Satan encompassed His death, but the Lord used the weapon of the enemy to completely defeat him, even as we read, "that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death" (Heb. 2:14). We should ever keep in mind that it is a defeated foe we meet in the conflict.
Simon Peter did not realise the nature of this spiritual conflict, and completely underestimated the power of the enemy. He was naturally a very brave man, and was very devoted to the Lord, but he had to learn that natural strength is no match for spiritual wickedness. The enemy, using a maid, defeated and humbled Peter, and taught him, and us, that only in divine power can we meet the powers of darkness in the conflict of good over evil.
Timothy was very unlike Simon Peter; he was not naturally courageous, but timid, and because of this was in danger of shrinking from the conflict to which he had been called of God. He required to be encouraged, and Paul strengthened him with the words, "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power … be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God" (2 Tim. 1:7-8). If natural bravery and strength cannot help in spiritual warfare, natural timidity in itself is no hindrance. What we need is " the spirit of power" which sets aside natural strength and natural timidity.
God's power can be seen and learned in the works of creation, and this leaves man without excuse as regards his thoughts of God, "For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead" (Rom. 1:20). Yet, while the Christian delights to view the works of God in creation, and learns from it the skill and power of His hand, it is not by meditating on this that he is strengthened for the fight of faith.
The most remarkable display of divine power that God has ever given was in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. There we learn "what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion" (Eph. 1:19-23).
Satan must have been apprehensive when Elijah and Elisha were enabled to raise the dead, but no doubt the two who were raised returned to death again, and the fears of the enemy may have been somewhat stilled. How great his fears must have been when the Lord raised the widow of Nain's son, the daughter of Jairus, and especially Lazarus, who had been dead four days. Little wonder that Satan sought the death of the Lord Jesus, the One who had power over death. How the presence of the Lord on earth challenged the power of Satan! Little did Satan realise that Christ's entering the realm of death would for ever break his power.
How well had the apostle Paul learned "the power of His resurrection!" Had he not much earlier written to the saints at Rome of "The Gospel of God … concerning His Son … declared the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by resurrection from the dead?" Resurrection displays Jesus as the Son of God with power, whether here on earth raising the dead, or raising the dead at the resurrection of the just and at the resurrection of the unjust. He is also seen as the Son of God with power as He comes forth from death, fulfilling the words He had spoken while on earth, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19).
This was the power the apostle desired to know in a practical way. He had spoken of it to the Romans and to the Ephesians; he had encouraged Timothy to lay hold of it; but he wanted to know it experimentally in the details of his daily life. What could the enemy do with one who did not fear death, and who lived superior to all his assaults? The more the apostle knew experimentally the working of this divine power in his life, the more was he made superior to every trial and difficulty, and every assault in the conflict. He wanted to bring the truth of Christ's resurrection to bear upon everything that he faced, and he had much to face. He was about to face Nero, but he was unafraid. His whole concern was to magnify Christ, whether by life or death. What could the power or raging of Nero do to one who knew the power of Christ's resurrection?
The knowledge of the power of Christ's resurrection in our souls day by day will enable us to be superior to every difficulty, trial and affliction in these last days. Things are likely to get worse in this world, if the Lord tarry, and the path of the faithful will become more difficult; but we can be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and rise above every difficulty, and meet every artifice of the enemy as knowing the power of Christ's resurrection.
Wm. C. Reid.