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,
(Ephesians 3:20 NKJV)
When I processed the final dollar amount, my heart sank. I had prayed for God’s direction, and He led me to Genesis chapter twenty-two, the story about Abraham and Isaac. God had asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son. Abraham obediently proceeded, and at the last possible moment, God stopped him and provided a ram. God provides, but this price traveled well past the realm of possibilities. Not God’s possibilities, but I could hear myself explaining this one to my husband. I could picture my reaction if he spent this amount of money.
My plans and dreams ignited and went up in smoke. Have you ever experienced something similar? Did hopes and dreams suddenly become a pile of ashes?
Still dazed from the shock, I looked at our focal verse, and I realized something. God might have blown up my plans because His plans are better.
We define the word able as a weak word. Pay close attention to how it’s used in the following sentences:
Is he able to finish on time?
Are you able to fix the toilet?
I hope I’m able to attend the conference.
We use the word with a hint of doubt. But the Greek word Paul used in today’s verse for able will blow our minds. It is dynaminŌ. Does that look like any English words you recognize? Do you recall the seventies sitcom Good Times? I can picture JJ flashing his smile with his infectious enthusiasm as he phonetically declared, “Dyn-o-mite!”
Since God’s ability is explosive, why did my plans blow up instead of an earth-shattering windfall of money? You might ask that question too.
Sweet friend, God’s power is limitless, and I’ve witnessed it. You’ve witnessed it. Can you think of a time when God’s answer to prayer was exceedingly abundantly above what you asked or even thought?
God is more powerful than our vocabulary allows, but God is also sovereign. He rules my world, not me. God is in full control, and aren’t we so glad?
Dynomite is used in demolition projects. An outdated hazardous building might have to implode into a million pieces in order to build a sturdier, more modern building. One more superior than the old one.
God sometimes shatters our plans to implement His superior plan.
Despite what we see, we must trust God. Today, I don’t see anything new and exciting on the horizon. All I see is dust settling from a heap of rubble that used to be my most exciting venture. So, I will believe God, because He is able to destroy and rebuild, and I know something amazingly better is ahead. Something abundantly exceedingly above what I can ever imagine.
You might be picking up the pieces of your life right now. Friend, make Ephesians 3:20 your prayer. Trust that God has something explosive ahead of you.
Lord, I don’t understand my life right now, but I am going to hold You to Your promise that You are able to do exceedingly, abundantly above what I ask. For Your glory and honor. I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life. Amen.
DIG DEEPER
Read Ephesians 1:19 NKJV:
and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
HIKING THE TRAIL
Write out a prayer using today’s verse, or put the verse somewhere you will see it often. Pray it and speak it over yourself.
RELATED RESOURCE
When life falls apart, we need more encouragement than usual. That is why I wrote Overcoming the Overwhelming: Walking in Victorious Faith When You Don’t Feel Victorious. Learn more here!
Originally posted on May 17, 2021 @ 3:00 am
In 2020 I felt exactly like you do right after my first SWFH conference. I almost shelved my dream due to cost. But God kept placing on my heart. “Keep writing and let me open the doors” So I wrote for almost a year being faithful in my writing my story and a year later (this year 2021) God opened the door for me to walk through at Redemption Press. I have learned in life…you get what you pay for. Excellence is not cheap and Free is filled with all the small print too small to read and leads to just that “free” quality. All the area in between is so grey that it is a hit and miss on what will be good and not good choices. A year of prayer, a year of trusting where God was calling me too and a year of waiting has paid off. Just keep writing and following Gods lead and in His timing He will open the door to where He is leading you.
I haven’t even finished the research for that book, so author coaching will probably take a while, and I trust God will be faithful to His Word. I think mine is a matter of timing.