To say God is omnipotent means God has unlimited power. “Omni” means all and “potent” means power. God is Almighty and all-powerful. God is unique in this divine attribute because it cannot be truly applied to any mortal man, including scientists or philosophers. No human, irrespective of their social, secular or religious position in life has unlimited power. Only God could speak the universe into existence. “For He spoke and it came to be” (Psalm 33:9).
The very first statement in all Scripture is about God and His omnipotence. Creation of the universe is just one example of God’s omnipotence. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light” (Genesis 1:1-3).
The prophet Jeremiah prayed: “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17). And here is God’s response to Jeremiah’s prayer: “The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:26,27).
God can do anything but fail.
He’s the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.
How many times we present our needs to the omnipotent God in prayer, and His answer actually exceeds our requests by granting more than we asked of Him. In his prayer, King Solomon asked God, “Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?” (2 Chronicles 1:10).
Here is God’s response to Solomon. “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you . . . wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possession, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like” (2 Chronicles 1:11,12).
God Himself affirms His omnipotence when He declared, “To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing (Isaiah 40:25,26). Note: “the greatness of his might.” Omnipotence is all about God, not about us.
The apostle Paul acknowledges God’s omnipotence when he wrote: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20). Note: God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.”
Isaiah 46:9,10 God declares the following text about Himself: “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done , saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’
Psalm 19 is attributed to King David who wrote on the works and words of God. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (V. 1).
“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded and it stood firm” (Psalm 33:6-9).
Think of our vast universe. Consider this magnificent structure, extremely large size, and great complexity. And all created by our Omnipotent God. The sun rises every morning in the eastern skies, giving energy, light, and warmth. It sets in the west and rises again at dawn. Then there is the moon and stars at night shining in all their magnificent splendor and brilliance.
Before God created the universe, time, space and matter did not exist. “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of deep” (Genesis 1:2).
Isaac Watts also recognizes the “mighty power of God” that is visible in nature all around the world. This is reflected in this hymn he wrote.
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command.
And all the stars obey.
—Isaac Watts