(Romans 16:25) To God who has the power to keep you strong.

This verse is at the end of the apostle Paul’s letter to the Roman church. It is part of a doxology, a declaration of praise to God. This verse has the same meaning as Jude 1:24, "To God who is able to keep you from falling.”

When the Bible speaks about “God’s power,” this does not mean that God is superman or a body builder bulging with huge muscles. In the Bible, God’s power usually refers to the Holy Spirit—the direct presence of God dwelling within us. God’s power is not an abstract concept; it is primarily the Holy Spirit’s supernatural power that we feel in our hearts.

Christian living is learning how to lean daily on God’s ability, not our own. Ephesians 3:20 summarizes beautifully what this verse is talking about: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” The Holy Spirit’s power is able to infuse us with his strength. Jude 1:24 tells us that God is able to keep us from falling (stumbling).

We all feel spiritually weak at times. And yet, even in our weaknesses, God is able sustain us through the Holy Spirit. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God told the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” The apostle Paul responses, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so Christ’s power will rest on me.”

What is Paul talking about? He is emphasizing that when we are spiritually weak, we have to lean on God’s power and abilities to strengthen us. In our weaknesses, we have to depend on God, and not on our own abilities.

When you face overwhelming circumstances in your life, feel weak, and come to the end of your abilities, do you automatically open your heart and ask God to give you his power (strength) through the Holy Spirit?