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Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20, ESV).
At work, expecting a year-end bonus, how many times did it exceed our expectations? Sometimes an event does exceed what we thought — a restaurant, vacation, job, ministry. But did it exceed expectations “more abundantly?”
Ephesians 3:20 teaches that we serve a God who exceeds what we think possible, and by implication, this abundance should describe our experience with Him, that He continually does more than we ask or think.
How many times has God exceeded what we thought He would do?
I remember seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time — beyond my expectations. The first time that I shared the gospel and everyone listening accepted Jesus as Savior — nope, didn’t think that would happen. When I saw my wife for the first time — beautiful beyond imagination.
It happens and we are blessed, but Scripture reveals a God of abundance and that should describe our regular relationship with Him!
The Greek word for “think” implies imagination or comprehension — what’s possible for us to consider — and God’s able to do far more! Do we pray this way? Do we take steps of faith with this in mind?
I once heard the saying, “If humans can think it, they can make it.” It’s a statement implying that our impossible imaginations can be accomplished. Galileo imagined, Thomas Edison considered the impossible possible, Madame Curie thought big, the Founding Fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address, Martin Luther King had a dream, and Albert Einstein’s imaginations are still being proven.
God thinks, He speaks, it exists.
We are created in His image, meaning that if we can think about it and talk about it, we can do it. This scenario happens regularly in science, breaking athletic records and with our dreams and visions. That’s how pastors become pastors, doctors become doctors, teachers become teachers, and Interruptions become Interruptions!
Let’s imagine together. Time travel — it’s possible under the OG’s (and the Bible’s) Theory of Imagination, ditto for space travel, a hydrogen-fueled car, and the Bengals winning the Super Bowl.
Agreed, some of our thoughts are more certain than others.
There are also bad imaginations mentioned in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “Casting down imaginations … that exalteth against the knowledge of God” (KJV). Not everything that we conceive in our thoughts should be pursued!
God thinks, He speaks, it exists.
We aren’t God but becoming like Him, as our paths become His paths and our goals His goals. What are we thinking about serving Him? Now multiply it times “abundantly more” and ask God specifically.
Amen, amen, and amen!
As Jesus reminds us. . .
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7, ESV).