Real power

If you had the power to do whatever you desired what would you do? Question 5 of the New City Catechism speaks of God's power, and how he uses it.

What else did God create?

God created all things

by his powerful word,

and all of his creation was very good;

everything flourished under his loving rule.

Here we learn:

• God uses his power to create

So many people abuse power.  They use it for their own ends.  They trample down those who oppose them.  They harm rather than help.  God uses his power to create this wonderful, diverse, exciting world.  He uses is for good, not harm.

• God's word is powerful

God doesn't express his power through a strong arm, but a creative word.  He speaks and things happen.  Mountains are shaped, rivers formed, stars appear in the sky, birds take to flight, flowers bloom.    And all this happened because God spoke! God still speaks through his word.  And his word is still powerful.  It still brings life, creates order and beauty.

• Everything God made is good, because he is good

Some builders or artists just seem to have that touch of quality and eye for detail.  They turn out good work.  However, when we read that God made something, and it was good, we are not simply hearing a comment on workmanship, but are learning more about the character of God.  He makes good things, because he is good.

• Because he is good, the best thing we can do is live under his rule.

The final phrase speaks about life flourishing under his rule.  And it sure should!  He is good, and he is powerful - so it is natural that living under his rule is a good thing.  It is a safe place to be.  It is what enables life to flourish. Now, as we seen on Sunday, not everything is perfect.   Not everything is as good as God created.  That is because an enemy has invaded.  God is going to respond to this invasion in the besy way.  But what we need to see for now is that

life still florishes under God's rule.  

It is when we ignore his rules or ways, when we turn our back on the good God, that we come to harm. So if you want to flourish- seek to live by his rules. And that is what the next few questions of the catechism consider.