Don’t Miss the Power of God

There’s a striking moment recorded in Luke’s Gospel: “The power of the Lord was present to heal the sick” (Luke 5:17). The room was charged with God’s presence, yet not everyone received it. Instead of celebrating what God was doing, the Pharisees were busy searching for fault.

That image is sobering. God’s healing power was right there, but their hearts were closed, distracted, and critical. Instead of leaning into the miracle, they leaned into judgment.

It makes me wonder, how often do we do the same? How often do we focus on each other’s flaws, question how something is done, or complain about what isn’t right, while missing the fact that God Himself is moving in our midst?

Psalm 103:2-3 brings us back to the heart of the matter:

“Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.”

This is the Gospel. Forgiveness. Healing. Restoration. These are God’s benefits to us, freely given through His love. The enemy would love for us to become so distracted by negativity and fault-finding that we forget them. But David reminds his soul, don’t forget! Keep your eyes on what God is doing, not on what people are lacking.

A Timely Reminder

The Pharisees knew but missed intimacy. They had religion but missed a relationship. The same danger exists today. It is possible to sit in the very presence of God’s healing power and miss it, simply because our hearts are tuned to criticism instead of faith.

But here’s the good news: God’s power is still present. His Word still heals. His forgiveness still restored. And His Spirit still brings life.

Reflection Questions

1. Have I allowed criticism (of myself, others, or even God’s timing) to blind me to His power at work?

2. In what area of my life do I need to stop fault-finding and start receiving His forgiveness and healing?

3. How can I be more like the man lowered through the roof, desperate to encounter Jesus, rather than the Pharisees looking for faults?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that Your power is always present to heal and restore. Forgive me for the times I’ve been distracted by criticism or negativity. Help me to remember Your benefits: that You forgive all my sins and heal all my diseases. Today, I choose to receive rather than criticise, to trust rather than doubt, and to celebrate rather than complain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written by: Caroline

Founder, Rise & Reclaim

#GodsPowerHeals #ForgetNotHisBenefits #Psalm103 #FaithOverCriticism