Powerless People and Their Powerful God (Matthew 17:14–23)

“You are more powerful, capable, and resilient than you realize!” Supposedly motivational statements like this one are common in a humanistic culture that’s obsessed with self-esteem and that preaches purpose, joy, contentment, and success are all available with the right mindset, a positive attitude, and unwavering self-belief. However, the Bible is clear that none of that is true and, in fact, thinking in those terms and believing those lies actually robs people of the power that is actually available—a power that’s inexhaustible, unfathomable, and supernatural. Matthew’s account of the liberation of the demonized boy showcases the amazing power available to God’s otherwise powerless people, its purpose, its accessibility, and reasons it is often ignored and unused.