I've been chewing on this verse for a few months now. I think I say those words in every email I write! I hope you chew on God's word. There is so much nutrition in His Word for our spirits. His words are sweeter than honey on my mouth!
Anyway, back to Ephesians...God is
able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think...Stop! Just
stop right there and think about those words! They have such intense meaning!
They are so full, yet we often read them, pass right over them, and don't
really think about the power that is contained in them.
Paul made up that phrase. His knowledge of God, his vast understanding of God in his heart, his personal experiences with God have surpassed words. God is so amazing, awe inspiring, and really at times, just beyond words. So Paul took liberty here and just made up a saying to explain a little deeper who God is. Spurgeon says it this way...
"He (God) is able to do so
abundantly it exceeds measure and description."
That word "able" is the
same word used for power when we talk about the resurrection of Jesus. It's
dunamai - It's miraculous power! He can do it! He can keep on doing it too!
Ok! Ok! What can God do? Well,
He's told us so much of what He's already done...
Provide a child for the barren
(Abraham/Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, the Shunnamite Woman).
The widow whose oil was multiplied.
Bring the dead to
life...Shunnamite's Son, Jaerus' daughter, widow's son, and Lazarus.
Protected Naomi and Ruth on their
journey to Naomi’s home town.
Feed a multitude using a few fish
and loaves.
Provided for the widow of
Zarephath.
Endure the beating preceding the
cross and then give Himself upon the cross.
1 Cor. 2:5 tells us that our faith
should not be in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God. We measure life, circumstances,
abilities, things by our own experiences, and then live our lives and make
understanding by putting God in that same box. We give Him our attributes
thus giving Him our limitations and our measurements, but God is above and
beyond all of that. "He abundantly exceeds measure and
description."
God did all those things. I've become simple enough that I believe every word in the Bible including the fact that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
So, if He did all those things so
many thousands of years ago. He can do so much more! Exceedingly! Abundantly!
Above all that I could even imagine or think. Some of those things are beyond
my imagination even now. Wouldn't it blow your mind to see some of those
things happen?!
Exceedingly abundantly more than
we can think or imagine...Because of this praise to God, we can have
assurance that God can answer our prayers! We should never hesitate to
offer our deepest request.
Jowett says it this way,
"What I have asked for is as nothing compared to the ability of my God
to give. I've asked for a cupful, and the ocean remains. I've asked for a
sunbeam, and the sun abides. My best asking falls immeasurably short of my
Father's giving. It's beyond all that we can ask."
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