Real supernatural strength

While we were sitting in the movie watching all the superhero action on the big screen, I started thinking about another kind of supernatural strength, one that is not merely a made-up story for our entertainment, but real and available to all of us, regardless of our station in life.
“Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…” (Colossians 1:11).
Deep down, when we are watching movies like the Avengers, we all wonder what it would be like to have their supernatural strength. How awesome it would be to have the hammer of Thor that only we can wield or the shield of Captain America to take out our opponent. And what father wouldn’t want those bulging muscles of Hulk that rip right through our clothes when we are ready to spring into action, or flying around in our electromechanical suit of armor as Iron Man. And yet, the Bible makes it clear that we do have a real supernatural power that gives us supernatural strength, not as these fictional superheroes, but as a child of the Most High God, indwelt by His Holy Spirit. What we need to remember, is the same power that raised Jesus from death to life, is the same power that resides in us. And that power is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Super powers given by God

When we are raised from death to life by grace through faith, we are given the power to live a supernatural life. We have been given the supernatural power to hope even in the face of a seemingly hopeless situation; to endure and not grow weary in well doing; to love even someone who is being quite unlovable; to find peace in the middle of a raging storm; and to return good for evil, even when we would rather not. This is real superhuman strength that has been given to us to lift us above the challenges of daily living, put the gospel on display and point to Jesus Christ in all we think, do, say and desire.

A Biblical Superhero

Abraham was given this supernatural strength to leave his home and family to follow God wherever He would lead, sustaining him, even when God was leading him up the mountain to sacrifice his son Isaac. Moses was given this supernatural strength when God sent him back into Egypt to confront Pharaoh. Daniel was given this supernatural strength in the lion’s den. Jonah was given this strength in the belly of the great fish. Esther was given this supernatural strength to petition the king without an invitation, which meant death to the uninvited. John the Baptist was given this supernatural strength as a voice crying out in the wilderness as the forerunner of Jesus. Stephen was given this supernatural strength while being stoned as he cried out to God for the forgiveness of those who were stoning him. Every “superhero” of the Scriptures was endowed by God with supernatural strength to do everything God was calling them to do.
Oh, by the way, there really is only one “Superhero” in the Scriptures and His name is Jesus Christ. If we see the giants of our faith in the Bible as “superheroes,” we will have a tendency to look to them and try to be like them. That is not what God intended when He gave us His Holy Word. Every “superhero” of Scripture points to the only true “Superhero” and this is the One we are to look to, lean on and live for as we receive His strength and live out our lives in His power for His glory vertically, and the good of all others horizontally, moment by moment.
This is the gospel. This is grace for your race. Never forget that. Amen!

Tommy Boland is senior pastor of Cross Community Church in Deerfield Beach. He blogs regularly at
tommyboland.com.

For more articles by Dr. Tommy Boland, visit goodnewsfl.org/tommy-boland.