Last night at a Prayer and Praise preparation for revival, I shared these verses with the congregation.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
This has long been a favorite verse for me! It is easy to see why! What a promise! We have a "can do" God who "is able" to "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine!" WOW! What an offer! And what He can do is unlimited - because it is according to His power!
But then comes another very important phrase - "that is a work within us!" Interesting isn't it? God has this unlimited ability "to do" more than we ask - more than even we imagine - by His power working in us!
To give this perspective, I got to thinking about Paul! After all - he wrote it or said it! When we read what he wrote, I know it is easy for us to think about God providing funds for our ministries, or supplies that are needed, or the job that we want, or the right person for a relationship! Have you ever thought about the verse from Paul's perspective? What had Paul seen God do that led Paul to write such a powerful statement?
Paul had seen God deliver him from death - numerous times! He had encountered God on the road to Dasmacus when Paul was a threatening persecutor of the church! Paul had encountered the holiness of God that was immeasurably more than Paul's zealous self-righteouness! Paul had encountered the Lord's amazing power, working through him, to bring the Gospel to gentiles throughout his world! He had seen the Lord deliver him from hostile crowds, hostile seas, and hostile religiious leaders! He had seen God establish His church in city after city!
Sometimes when you wonder why you don't see more of Ephesians 3:20-21 working in your life, you might ponder what kind of things God wants to be doing through your life! I'm not so sure that God is terribly interested in giving us immeasurably more stuff than we already have! But I am pretty sure that He is incredibly interested in reconciling the world to Himself!
So, if we are interested in seeing the "immeasurable power" of God at work in our lives, we might begin by sharing the Gospel, loving the unloved, helping the weak, bringing help and comfort to the sick! We might see this incredible display of God's might if we attack the darkness with the light of the Gospel!
The words of these verses may indeed mean some material provision will come from Him. But even more - God is interested in doing immeasurably more to bring the Gospel to the world! Don't miss the opportunity to see His mighty power at work within us!
Comments