One of the things we are not promised is security and safety. We are promised instead difficulties: challenges, and the probability that we will be a witness. This time is fallen. If they ancients killed the prophets, what will happen to those of Christ?
The problems that we have with power relate to an idea that it is without cost. You want to be a great woman or man for God? Be prepared to bleed. Be prepared to work in whatever you can get — because at times things will be hard.
And be aware that you may not feel you have power or influence when you have both.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated—of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 11:32-12:2 ESV)
This is not, you see, about power: that is where Wimber is wrong. The error of those who seek power is that of Faust: in the race to achieve power you lose your souls. The reason we talk about the people of faith and the saints of old is that they are faithful examples of what God can do. They are exceptional, yes, and they give us hope, yes, and they are worth emulating, yes. But they looked to Christ, and not themselves.
We have to be careful here. There can be wonderful music and emotion where there is error, and the best worship may come from someone who is tuneless. For it is not our singing that is worship, but our lives.
And here we need to continually choose what is the good, discerning what is the evil. We need to do the tasks we are called to. For out of that we may show peace, and comfort, and joy. Despite our circumstances.
And in that God will give glory.
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