Tapping Into His Power

Matthew 22:29 (NIV)

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

The provinces of New Brunwick and Nova Scotia have one thing in common: they share the highest tides on our planet. Imagine 100 billion tons of seawater flowing in and out of the Bay of Fundy daily, or, to put it in terms more easy to understand, 338,983,050,847,457 ten-ounce-glasses of water. I doubt we could drink that much in a life time! To tell you the truth, that amount of water is higher than all of our planet's freshwater combined!

The Bay of Fundy not only experiences a 50 foot tidal range, which is 5 times higher than the usual tides on the Atlantic coast, but in some parts of its Bay, the tide retreats as much as 3 miles. And these high tides and low tides happen, on average, every six hours and 13 minutes.

Scientists have found an explanation for this phenomenon. These high tides are especially due to resonance and to the shape of the bay. The water in this Bay has a natural resonance, or rocking motion, which they call seiche. It's kind of like when we get into the bathtub, and the water sloshes from side to side for a few seconds. In the Bay of Fundy however, it takes about 13 hours for the water to "slosh" from the mouth of the bay to its head and back again. In essence, the Bay of Fundy is like an enormous bathtub, with the ocean tides invading the bay every 12 hours and 25 minutes reinforcing this resonance!

The bay's unique shape contributes to the high tides as well. As the bay becomes narrower and shallower, toward the upper bay (From 426 feet to 131 feet), the saltwater is forced even higher onto the shores.

For many centuries people didn't understand the kind of power contained by the Bay of Fundy, and even less how to apply such a force in their daily life. After all, how could having the world's highest tides impact local lives for the better?

In 1984 the first tidal power station emerged in North America on the shores of the Bay of Fundy, in Annapolis, Nova Scotia, and since then, all over the world such tidal power stations are being built. Why? Because they are one of the most reliable natural resources! As long as we have a moon and a sun, they will generate electricity!

As Christians, we, too, aren't all that sure how to access the power provided to us by the Holy Spirit. Sadly, many of us aren't even aware that God is providing us with such power! But the Bible is specific: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." (Acts 1:8 NIV)

And it is confirmed in numerous places of the New Testament: "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." (1 Cor 4:20 NIV)

But just as the power in the Bay of Fundy is useless unless we harness it, we too have to become familiar with the power God has provided us with.

Unlike the powers in this world, this power strives on weakness and unselfishness:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12:9 NIV)

"For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you." (2 Cor 13:4 NIV)

It's power, however, is more powerful than all the atomic bombs in our world.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…" (Eph 3:20 NIV)

So why are we refraining ourselves from asking the impossible? Is our faith that weak? But let us remember though, that all we ask should be done unselfishly and according to the will of God. (See 1 John 2:17 and 1 Peter 4: 1, 2)

Isn't getting to know Him what it's all about? Remember there is beauty in suffering as well as in rejoicing, as long as we remain focused on the One who loves us way beyond reason.

We can be assured that "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness." (2 Peter 1:3 NIV)

Let's take the time to reflect on our lives. Let's notice how our Heavenly Father has come through for us more times than we can count. He has always been there for us, but too often, we don't realize it. Let's ask Him to open our eyes as the apostle Paul did.

The next time you drink a glass of water, remember: God has given you power through His Holy Spirit. He is the living water who will set you free!

Dear Lord, thank You for the reminder of Your power. We pray that every time we take a drink of water we will remember the great power we have in You and all we have to do is ask You for it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.