INTRODUCTION
God is almighty and all-powerful. In His humility, He created humans in His image and gave us the ability to exercise power. Even after the fall, when sin corrupted the human heart and inclined it toward evil, mankind still retained this God-given power to use by choice.
This message explores the greatness of God’s power and mercy and highlights the character of those who are considered “men of might.”
Brethren, as we wait in this Holy Week, let us reflect on how we use our power – not for pride or force, but for mercy. Let us follow the example of our Father, who restrains His power of judgment in favour of mercy. When the sin of the world became overwhelming, God took on human form in Jesus Christ, bearing our sins and receiving judgment on our behalf. The true power of might is revealed in mercy.
1. GOD’S POWER AND MIGHT
Power is the ability or capacity – the strength, authority, or control – to act or influence. Might is power in action – the display of great strength or force. You have power; you show might.
Scripture reveals the fullness of God’s power and might:
“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty… You reign overall, and in Your hand are power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12; Revelation 4:11; 5:12).
God is sovereign over all things. He forms light and creates darkness; He brings peace and permits judgment. He alone gives life and takes it, wounds and heals, and none can escape His hand. By His power, He came in human form through Jesus Christ, offered Him as the eternal sacrifice for sin, raised Him from the dead, exalted Him above all powers and authorities. (Isaiah 45:7; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 43:13; Colossians 1:15; Ephesians 1:21; Matthew 28:18).
None can be compared to God. He made all things for His purpose, even the wicked for the day of judgment. He brings rulers low and directs all things according to His will. Nothing escapes His sight; He sees both good and evil. (Proverbs 15:3; 16:4; Isaiah 40:22-26; Daniel 4:35; Job 34:21- 22).
The Almighty God embodies all forms of power – physical, spiritual, and sovereign over all creation.
1.1. GOD’S MIGHT IN MERCY
Brethren, despite God’s great power, He is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in mercy. Though He may allow grief, He shows compassion according to the abundance of His mercies, for He does not willingly afflict or grieve mankind (Psalm 145:8; Lamentations 3:31-33; Hosea 2:23).
God does not treat us as our sins deserve, nor repay us according to our iniquities. As He said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Psalm 103:9-11; Leviticus 20:10).
King David understood the depth of God’s mercy when he said, “Let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man” (2 Chronicles 21:7-13). Even after his sin against Uriah – when he misused his power – David turned not to excuses, but to God’s mercy, trusting in His compassion rather than the judgment prescribed by the law (2 Samuel 11-12; Psalm 51:1,16).
Through this, we learn that the path to God’s mercy is repentance – a broken spirit and a contrite heart, which He will never despise (Psalm 51:17).
2. TRAITS OF THE “MIGHTY MAN”
How does man compare with God in power, might, and mercy? God created humans and endowed us with power, making us “mighty.” Yet, because of the fallen nature of the human heart, it is difficult for man to use power for what is right. As Scripture says, the heart of man is inclined to evil, and some even justify wrongdoing, saying, “let us do evil that good may come” (Genesis 6:5,11; Ecclesiastes 9:3; Romans 1:21; 3:8).
Power, when used without the fear of God, is often driven by pride and selfish desire rather than righteousness. Such misuse of might seeks self-glory instead of honouring God. That is why we are commanded to love God with all our strength, so that our power is not used in vanity, but for His glory (Mark 12:30; Matthew 6:13).
We can understand the “mighty man” through three traits: pride and rebellion, boasting in wickedness, and rejection of God’s guidance.
2.1. THE REBELLIOUS IN PRIDE
The rebellious man is ruled by pride, arrogance, anger, violence, and deceit. Deceived by his own pride, he becomes high-minded and says in his heart, “Who can bring me down?” (Isaiah 16:6 -7; Obadiah 1:3-4).
Nimrod is an example, described as a mighty man and hunter. In pride, he and others sought to build the Tower of Babel to make a name for themselves. But their rebellion led to confusion and division when God scattered them across the earth. Scripture warns those who exalt themselves will be brought down (Genesis 10:8-11; 11:4-8; Obadiah 1:4; James 4:6).
2.2. BOASTERS IN WICKEDNESS
The mighty man who trusts in his own strength boasts in wrongdoing. He speaks with pride and arrogance, glorifies his own achievements, and ignores the work of the Lord. Thinking himself wise, he relies on his own understanding His words are filled with bitterness, and his actions harm others. He oppresses the poor, robs the weak, and crushes the afflicted (Obadiah 1:8-15; 1 Samuel 2:3; Isaiah 5:21; Romans 3:13-14; Psalm 10:2; Proverbs 22:22-23).
He even turns against his own people, ignoring their suffering, rejoicing in their downfall, and takes advantage of their distress. He stands by while outsiders take away their strength and foreigners enter their land and divide what belongs to them. He blocks escape, hands over survivors, and uses power without compassion (Obadiah 1:8–15).
2.3. REJECTING GOD’S GUIDANCE
Men of might often reject God’s guidance. They do not seek true understanding but twist His word for their own ends.
Even when shown the way of rest and renewal, they refuse to listen. Instead, they reduce God’s word to mere rules – “precept upon precept, line upon line”, thinking themselves wise, and in their pride, they fall and are trapped (Isaiah 28:6-15).
Scripture calls such people the “crown of pride” – scornful leaders who rule unjustly. Because of pride, they lack true vision and make poor decisions. They pass unjust laws, oppress the vulnerable, and deny justice to the needy. They trust in lies and falsehood, as though they have made a “covenant with death.” Yet their strength will fail, for human pride is ultimately futile (Isaiah 28:1, 7-9, 14–15; 10:1-2; Psalm 76:5).
Brethren, God rules forever by His power, and His eyes watch all nations. Therefore, let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Instead, let us use our might for mercy: defend the weak, uphold the oppressed, act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Psalm 82:3; Micah 6:8).
3. RESTRAINING WRATH FOR MERCY
Brethren, true power has its greatest impact when it is expressed through mercy. The power of might is most clearly seen in restraint. This is the nature of our Father, though He is all-powerful, He chooses to act with grace and mercy.
God does not immediately unleash His wrath but allows sin for a time so that He may reveal greater grace, mercy, and salvation. In His compassion, He patiently endured Israel’s disobedience and rebellion, though He had every right to destroy them (Psalm 78:8-38). He restrained His judgment, choosing not to make them “vessels of wrath,” but instead to reveal the riches of His glory through “vessels of mercy.” These are those who receive His grace through salvation in Jesus Christ – both Jews and non-Jews (Romans 9:24-26; Hosea 2:23; 1:10).
God’s restraint is also seen in His dealings with Satan and humanity. Though Satan still has influence over those who are spiritually blind, God, in His mercy, allows time and space for repentance. He withholds full judgment so that those in darkness may come to the light, seek His grace, and be saved.
3.1. THE GRACE THAT RESTRAINS MIGHT
When the sin and wickedness of mankind increased, God, in His power and might, took on human form. He came down from heaven in the person of Jesus Christ so that, through His sacrificial death, He might bear the wrath for our sins. By His mighty power, God raised Him from the dead, received Him into heaven, and exalted Him above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, giving Him all authority in heaven and on earth (Colossians 1:15; Ephesians 1:21; Matthew 28:18).
Brethren, Jesus Christ is the expression of God’s grace – His restraint from judgment. Through Him, we are delivered from the strict demands of the law – “eye for eye, tooth for tooth”- and are instead called to forgive others, just as our Father forgives us (Exodus 21:24; Matthew 5:38-39; 6:12,14).
Jesus Himself demonstrated restraint in the use of power. When He was insulted and falsely accused, He did not retaliate. When Peter used violence to defend Him, Jesus rebuked him, saying, “All who take the sword will perish by the sword.” Though He had the power to call upon heavenly armies, He chose not to act in force (Matthew 26:52-53; John 18:36).
The Lord is compassionate toward the poor, the needy, and the helpless. He hears their cries, shows them mercy, and delivers them from oppression and violence. Their lives are precious in His sight, and He will bring justice against their oppressors. For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (Psalm 72:4, 12-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:9).
So, brethren, as we wait in this Holy Week, let us repent, forgive one another, and allow the light of God’s salvation to rule in our hearts.
PRAYER
Almighty Father, we thank You for Your word and for endowing us with power and might.
We repent for using our strength in ways that have caused harm and distress. Have mercy upon us according to Your tender mercies. Restore us, O Lord, and renew a right spirit within us.
Help us to fear You and submit to Your great power. Grant us the grace to restrain ourselves from using power wrongly, and instead to act justly and show mercy.
Deliver us from oppression and redeem us from deceit and violence.
May the name of Jesus Christ endure forever. May we be blessed in Him, and may all nations call Him blessed.
We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Have a blessed Holy Week
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 30 March 2026
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