Mensa Otabil - All Power Belongs to God (10/03/2025)
Welcome to day number 36 of our 40 days of power. We’re getting there by the grace of God, and we thank God for His strength and enablement that allows us to wait on Him and trust Him. We are talking this week about proclaiming God’s rule and affirming His authority in all our lives. Today, we consider that all power belongs to God (Psalm 62:10–11). Do not trust in oppression, nor vainly hope in robbery. If riches increase, do not set your heart on them. God has spoken once, twice I have heard this: power belongs to God. Power belongs to God; that is the truth we must not only hear but also believe and act upon. Power belongs to God.
This passage focuses on power and warns us about things we should not rely on for power. The psalmist warns us against three things and announces to us where ultimate power resides. First, the psalmist says don’t rely on oppression. Our world often sees people who control others as powerful. Sadly, we sometimes see our ability to control others as being powerful. Those in positions of power use their authority to oppress and keep others down, while those who are oppressed wish for power one day to put others down. The psalmist is saying that power does not come from putting people down or from oppression, so that’s the first warning: we should not seek power by oppressing others.
Secondly, the psalm tells us not to put our hope in robbery. Why does it equate robbery with power? Because many times we think a person who can take anything they want is very powerful. Some people brag, saying, «I can have anything I want; I can take anything I desire.» There are women who believe they can have any man, and men who believe they can have any woman. There are those who believe they can take what belongs to others: your line, your money, everything that is yours. They claim to be powerful, but this passage says not to rely on that for power. Your ability to bully your way through or take what belongs to others is not an affirmation of your power.
Power does not come from oppressing people or from taking things from others randomly and with impunity.The third warning is to not put your trust in riches. Most of us think that if we have enough money, we will be powerful. Many say money can buy anything; once I have money, I’m fine. However, we have seen wealthy people who are not truly powerful. This tells you that money doesn’t provide the ultimate power you’re looking for. The psalmist warns us: don’t rely on oppression, don’t put your hope in robbery, and don’t put your trust in riches.
So, if these do not give us power, then where does power come from? That is why it says, God has spoken once, power belongs to God. I have heard it twice: power belongs to God. Now, why does it say God has spoken once, I’ve heard it twice? It means that God has said something, and I hear it continually in my ear. I’m reminded and won’t forget this truth; power belongs to God. God says it once, but we must never forget that lesson: power belongs to God.
So when God gives you riches, don’t rely on them, because power belongs to God. When God gives you a position, don’t put others down, because power belongs to God. When God gives you opportunity, don’t take everything, because power belongs to God. We must remind ourselves of that. In the Bible, there are people who found that power belongs to God. The Pharaoh of Egypt learned painfully that power belongs to God. He said, «Who is the Lord God that I should listen to Him?» Eventually, he had to let God’s people go. Nebuchadnezzar learned very sadly that power belongs to God when he was reduced to the level of an animal. You don’t want to be like these two men where God has to take you to an extreme position before you realize this single truth: power belongs to God.
Let’s pray. Say with me: Heavenly Father, I have seen, heard, and know fully well that power belongs to You. Help me to never forget that. In Jesus' name, Amen and Amen. Power belongs to God. I’ll catch you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.