Power, human

All human power and authority comes from God. God also gives special power to his people.

All human power comes from God

Deuteronomy 8:17–18; Romans 13:1 See also Judges 3:12; 2 Kings 13:3, 2 Kings 13:5; 2 Chronicles 25:8; Daniel 2:37, Daniel 4:29–32; John 19:10–11; Acts 4:28; Colossians 1:16; 1 Peter 2:13–14

You might say in your heart, “The power and strength of my hands have made this wealth for me.” But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.

God gives power to his people

God's power is at work in believers

Psalm 68:35 See also Isaiah 40:29–31; 2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 3:20, Ephesians 6:10; Colossians 1:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:11

O God, You are awesome in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!

Examples of God giving power to believers

Moses: Exodus 4:21; Deuteronomy 34:12; Acts 7:22; 2 Samuel 5:10 parallel 1 Chronicles 11:9 David; 1 Kings 18:46 Elijah; 2 Chronicles 27:6 Jotham; Daniel 2:23 Daniel; Luke 1:17 John the Baptist; Luke 9:1 parallels Matthew 10:1, Mark 6:7; Luke 10:19; Acts 4:7, Acts 4:10, Acts 6:8; 1 Corinthians 12:10

God gives resurrection power to believers

Ephesians 1:19–20 See also 2 Corinthians 13:4; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 1:29, Colossians 2:12

and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,

The Holy Spirit equips individuals for special tasks

Judges 3:10 Othniel; Judges 14:6, Judges 14:19, Judges 15:14; 1 Samuel 10:6, 1 Samuel 10:10, 1 Samuel 11:6; 1 Samuel 16:13 David; Isaiah 61:1 the Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Luke 4:18); Micah 3:8 Micah; Luke 1:35 Mary; Luke 4:14 Jesus Christ

The Holy Spirit gives power to believers

Acts 1:8 See also Luke 24:49; Romans 15:13; Ephesians 3:16

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Human power derives from wisdom

Ecclesiastes 7:19 See also Proverbs 3:27, Proverbs 8:14, Proverbs 24:5; Ecclesiastes 9:13–18

Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.

The abuse of human power

Proverbs 28:28 See also Judges 6:2; Job 21:7; Proverbs 28:12; Ecclesiastes 4:1; Jeremiah 5:27–28, Jeremiah 23:10; Ezekiel 22:6; Micah 2:1, Micah 7:3

When the wicked come to power, people hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous flourish.

The absence of human power

Deuteronomy 28:32; 2 Chronicles 14:11; Nehemiah 5:5; Job 5:15–16, Job 6:11–13

The power of the wicked is temporary

Psalm 37:16–17 See also Esther 9:1; Psalm 37:32–33; Proverbs 11:7; Ezekiel 13:20–21

Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many who are wicked. For the arms of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.