The Arm of God: Power Beyond Human Strength

Jack Selcher
Aug 21, 2025
3 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

Jesus is on top of a wall offering a hand to a man who is climbing it

Summary

Human strength, the “arm of flesh,” is insignificant compared to the limitless power of God. Scripture reveals God’s mighty arm in creation, judgment, and redemption. He delivered Israel from Egypt, raised Jesus from the dead, and rescues believers from sin’s power. God’s strength preserves and protects His people now and promises future freedom from sin’s presence. Knowing, trusting, and acting on God’s power transforms how believers live.

Human Weakness Compared to God’s Power

Proportionately, a bird’s wing muscles are over one hundred times stronger than the arm muscles of the strongest man. Compared to the rest of God’s creation, we are physically weak. Our mental, not our physical powers, set us apart.

The Arm of Flesh Versus the Arm of God

In the Old Testament, the arm of flesh represents the high-water mark of human accomplishments. However, it is no match for the arm of God.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8a NIV).

Psalm 98:1-2 and Isaiah 51:9 refer to God’s arm. The arm of flesh describes what people can do—the arm of God, what God can do. Isaiah 30:30 compares God’s judgment to the force and fury of lightning and storm.

“A typical lightning flash is about three hundred million volts and 30,000 amps. In comparison, household current is 120 volts and fifteen amps.”¹

God’s Strength Displayed in Creation

We see God’s strength in creation. “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17 NIV).

Power Without Limits or Surprise

Human inventions spring from ideas that must be refined because unanticipated problems invariably arise. The process often takes years.

God’s design and creation of the universe followed a different pattern. Unanticipated problems do not exist for Him. He has no research and development department.

He sees the end from the beginning. He spoke the worlds into existence. No surprises. No trial and error.

He knows everything about everything. He can do whatever He wants.

Deliverance Through God’s Mighty Arm

God reveals His strength through deliverance. He delivered the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt (Exodus 6:6). He also delivered those who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior out of bondage to sin with a stretched-out arm and great judgments.

His judgment on sin fell on Jesus Christ on Calvary’s cross. His stretched-out arm powerfully raised Jesus from the dead. That is how He delivers us from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13).

God’s exceedingly great power delivers us from the power of sin and equips us to live like His children. In the future, He will free us from the very presence of sin.