The gospel is the power of God for salvation

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith.” - Romans 1:16-17

“The gospel is not advice to people, suggesting that they lift themselves. It is power. It lifts them up. Paul does not say that the gospel brings power but that it is power, and God’s power at that. When the gospel is preached, this is not simply so many words being uttered. The power of God is at work. When the gospel enters anyone’s life, it is as though the very fire of God had come upon him. There is warmth and light in his life.The power of God of which Paul writes is not aimless but directed to salvation. It issues salvation. This is the general term of which justification, redemption, and the life are particular aspects.”

- Leon Morris in his commentary on the epistle to the Romans

Grace in Trials

FATHER OF MERCIES,
Hear me for Jesus’ sake.
I am sinful even in my closest walk with Thee;
it is of Thy mercy I died not long ago;
Thy grace has given me faith in the cross
by which Thou hast reconciled Thyself to me
and me to Thee,
drawing me by Thy great love,
reckoning me as innocent in Christ though guilty in myself.
Giver of all graces,
I look to Thee for strength to maintain them in me,
for it is hard to practice what I believe.
Strengthen me against temptations.
My heart is unexhausted fountain of sin,
a river of corruption since childhood days,
flowing on in every pattern of behavior;
Thou hast disarmed me of the means in which I trusted,
and I have no strength but in Thee.
Thou alone canst hold back my evil ways,
but without Thy grace to sustain me I fall.
Satan’s darts quickly inflame me,
and the shield that should quench them
easily drops from my hand:
Empower me against his wiles and assaults.
Keep me sensible of my weakness,
and of my dependence upon Thy strength.
Let every trial teach me more of Thy peace,
more of Thy love.
Thy Holy Spirit is given to increase Thy graces,
and I cannot preserve or improve them
unless He works continually in me.
May He confirm my trust in Thy promised help,
and let me walk humbly in dependence upon Thee,
for Jesus’ sake.

- “The Valley of Vision”