{
 "id": "basics-canon-power-human",
 "question": "What does the Bible teach about human power versus God's power?",
 "answer": "The Bible teaches that human power is insufficient to accomplish God's purposes and that true strength comes from relying on God's power. In Jeremiah 17, a tree planted by the river represents the believer who lives by faith, while a bush in the desert represents one who relies on human might. The person who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength is cursed, but the one who trusts in the Lord is blessed. According to Zechariah 4:6, faith is trusting not in human might or power but in the Spirit of God. It is the empty hand that takes hold of grace precisely where we are weak, so that the power of Christ dwells in us and is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). The Bible also emphasizes that true heroes, like Gideon, do not quit despite their fear, but instead act on God's word. Faith does not give up; it keeps blowing the trumpet and trusting God to break the vessel so the light shines through. As David had a sling, Dorcas had a needle, and Rahab had some string, what small thing can you give to God? He delights in using anything we will give Him, but especially enjoys using small things (Zech. 4:10). We must recognize that our power is insufficient, and only through God's power can we accomplish His purposes.",
 "url": "/faq/human-power-versus/",
 "unit": 3,
 "lesson": "3-canon",
 "lesson_title": null,
 "question_type": "canonical",
 "tier": 1,
 "faq_class": "doctrine-canonical",
 "aeo_questions": [
  "What is the Bible's perspective on relying on human strength versus trusting in God's power?",
  "How does the Bible describe the relationship between human power and accomplishing God's purposes?",
  "What does the Bible teach about finding true strength and accomplishing God's goals?"
 ],
 "topic_anchor": "Power, human",
 "derivation": "derived-canonical",
 "source_authority": "authoritative",
 "author": "Gene Cunningham",
 "book": "The Basics",
 "source": {
  "doc_id": "btbm-01-TheBasics-8-10-24",
  "ref": "The Basics — Power, human (canonical doctrine)",
  "book_page": [
   146,
   219
  ],
  "segment_id": "the-basics__canon__power-human"
 },
 "scripture": [
  {
   "display": "Judges 7:2",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    230
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "1 Samuel 17:47",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    158
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Jeremiah 17:8",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    158
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Galatians 5:22-23",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    158
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "1 Peter 5:7",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    158
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Judges 7:12",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    230
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Judges 7:21-22",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    230
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "1 Samuel 17:40",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    231
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "1 Kings 17:12",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    231
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "1 Kings 18:44",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    231
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "2 Kings 4:2",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    231
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "2 Corinthians 4:8-10",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    231
   ]
  }
 ],
 "topics": [
  "David",
  "Fear",
  "Gideon",
  "Human power",
  "Jeremiah",
  "Small things"
 ],
 "topics_context": [
  "Grace",
  "Faith-Rest",
  "Discernment",
  "Peace",
  "Power and Holy Spirit",
  "stages of Spiritual gifts"
 ],
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 ],
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