Our Response in Hard Times
God is Able
When ending his heartfelt prayer for all the saints in Ephesus the apostle Paul makes this astounding declaration, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20,21). God is able to do far more with regards to the unfathomed and seemingly impossible than you can ever imagine! The extent of God’s ability is seen in the manner in which Paul pyramids his words to describe God’s superabundant blessings and favour:
Able
Able to do
Able to do what we ask
Able to do what we think
Able to do what we ask or think
Able to do all that we ask or think
Able to do above all that we ask or think
Able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think
Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think
Notice, the means by which God demonstrates His awesome ability is revealed in the expression, according to the ‘active power’ that works in us. This refers to the Holy Spirit, who is constantly at work in our lives, seeking to produce the fruit of a Christlike character. If you’ve received Christ then God’s endless resources can be accessed effectively. Why? Because His ‘active power’ abides in you! The Greek word translated ability is ‘dinamaino’ which comes from the word ‘dinamin’ that appears later in the same verse and literally means “to have power.” But this word implies “power in action,” as when put forth in the performing of miracles.
“Now to God who has miraculous power through which He can do exceedingly superabundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the active power that works in us, to Him be the glory…” The father of faith Abraham had profound revelation of this truth. Romans 4:20,21 states, “He did not hesitate at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what God had promised He was also able to perform.” Literally, “…what God had promised He has the power to deliver – the ability to bring about!”
A “promise” in the Greek means ‘to announce what one is about to do’ or to ‘reveal one’s intentions’. In reference to God, it implies that whatever He has announced will actually be done and there should be no hesitation over the outcome. So, when God makes a promise you should never question whether He has the power to deliver. Be rest assured, what He purposes to do – He will do! 1 Kings 8:56 says, “Not one word has failed of all His good promises.” Abraham did not hesitate concerning God’s intentions; he had a total assurance (in his heart) that what the Almighty had promised He has the power to perform.
Remember, ignorance hinders God’s purpose and will for your life. In this regard, you must fully understand the power of grace; otherwise you may live in condemnation and never succeed in anything. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (expounded version), “And then God is able to make all kinds of grace super-abound toward you, so that you may always have self-satisfaction through total sufficiency in all things and consequently have an abundance for every good work.” In other words, God is able to supply you with resources that will satisfy you and make you self-sufficient, and consequently, you will be able to share and be generous at all times. Isn’t this what we need in these turbulent times? Notice the ‘all’s’ contained in this one verse - “all grace, always (at all times), all sufficiency, all things and every good work.” The All-Sufficient One promises all-sufficiency!
Here are some of the things God is able to do for you:
- God is able to make you stand – Romans 14:4.
- God is able to establish you – Romans 16:25.
- God is able to aid you when you are tempted – Hebrews 2:18.
- God is able to make you unstoppable – Acts 5:39
- God is able to exercise divine power – Hebrews 11:19.
- God is able to keep you from stumbling – Jude 24.
- God is able to rescue you from disaster – Daniel 3:17
Back to our opening scripture… Eph. 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly superabundantly above all that we ask…” The Greek word for “ask” is a very interesting one as it implies ‘insistent asking without qualms’. This is the kind of asking that only children can do with their parents. God is able to do up and above all our childish irreverent demands or requests! In fact, He has the power to do exceedingly superabundantly up and above whatever we so desire. Even our childlike whims and fancies! (Luke 11:5-8)
But our scripture doesn’t just say “ask”, it says, or think… This word means ‘to perceive with the mind’ or ‘to understand’. In this context it implies ‘to see with the mind’ or ‘imagination’. God is able to do exceedingly superabundantly above all that you can see or perceive through your mind’s eye – all that you can imagine! He has the power to give you your wildest and most astonishing dreams. But the key is contained in your expectation. God is able, and He’s made tremendous resources available to you – by the power that is constantly at work in you. However, the Law of Expectations operates in tandem to this truth. And this law says that, you get what you expect out of life.
You tend to see what you expect to see, you tend to feel what you expect to feel, you tend to act the way you expect to act, and eventually, you tend to achieve exactly what you expect to achieve. Therefore, you can choose to live in doubt and fear, or you can choose to live by faith – never hesitating at God’s promises.
You can be an optimist, or you can be a pessimist. By faith or by fear – what do you choose to live by? Job was a pessimist and said, “Everything I fear and dread comes true” (Job 3:25). And that’s exactly what he got! Paul on the other hand was an optimist, who said, “I live in eager expectation, even while I’m going through all these trials” (Philippians 1:20).
Many of you may be going through trials and adverse circumstances, but what are you eagerly expecting especially while the media is constantly bombarding you with negative information. Are you very hesitant or doubtful? Do you fear tomorrow and do you dread the future? What do you really think the outcome is going to be? If you truly believe that God is able, then you will eagerly expect the best and He will do exceedingly superabundantly up and above all that you may ask or think! Why? Because He loves you!
It’s time to expect more than you deserve. It’s time to expect God to blow your mind with the extreme measure of His favour working on your behalf. It’s time to be astounded at the height, length and depth of His great love for you. It is time to see His mighty power working in your situation, releasing blessings far beyond your greatest expectations and wildest dreams. Take the lid off your imagination (right now) and let your mind reach into heaven, where the measure is eternity (and infinity). God is boundless, endless and timeless! His active power working in and through you can release every resource necessary for you to receive exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask or think. |
