“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20).
When we think of God's ability, we think of the His glorious power. We are living in a day of great power, marked by mighty engineering feats of many kinds. We have come from the Model-T Ford to the Thunderbird, from the short-lived flight of the Wright brothers to the astounding jets that take flight today.
With mental wonder we have witnessed the atomic age, capable of blessing or cursing mankind and have moved on to the space age landing man on the Moon. Men now envision inter-planetary travel and dream of walking on Mars.
While we live in a time when man's power is highly extolled, we do well to remember that there is a power and provision, a greater resource than man's boasted rockets. This power will take God's people beyond Mars to Father's house in the Glory world.
We ask then, “How big is God?” The answer comes clearly, quickly, simply, and scripturally, God is big enough to save us for all eternity. In God's grace and mercy, we are justified (Rom. 3:34; 4:25; 5:1), redeemed (Gal. 3:13), and reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:20).
God is big enough “to save us to the uttermost” (Heb. 7:25). The words, “to the uttermost,” convey the thought of “evermore.” In saving us God brings us from darkness to light, from death to life, from ruin to redemption, and from sin to salvation.In saving us God delivers us from the consequences of sin, preserves us from the power of sin, and one day will make us safe from the presence of sin.
God is also big enough to keep what we, by faith, have committed to Him. The Apostle Paul said, “For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have unto him against that day” (2 Tim. 1:12). While we do not, and cannot, know what the future holds; we know Him who holds the future in His hands. The word “persuaded” means “to be absolutely sure.” Paul's confidence was in the Lord not in religious duties or rules. The term “commit” means “to entrust.” We can be sure God will not fail us at any time along our pilgrim pathway. The bank of heaven will stand good for all deposits made in faith.
God is big enough to rescue us in times of trial. Being tempted Himself, the Lord Jesus knows how to deliver us from temptation. The Lord understands all about it, not only in His infinite wisdom, but also in experience. Our Lord has already gone before us in every trial and knows our every need. “For in that He himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted” (Heb. 2:18). “Succor” means “to run to the cry of those in need and bring the aid.” It is a comforting truth to know when we are tempted, our stands ready to run to our cry and bring us help.
God is big enough to answer our prayers for He “Is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think.” (Eph. 3:20) The Lord encourages us to pray. The pattern is, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matt. 7:7-8)
In our Lord's vast reservoir of grace and mercy there are innumerable blessings awaiting the one who asks in believing prayer. This should encourage us to pray more and complain less. John R. Rice said, “Prayer is the ordained means of God whereby He immeasurably supplies the needs of His children” (Phil. 4:19). R. A. Torrey said, “Nothing lies outside the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the will of God.”In a call to prayer, the Lord invites us to come to Him to Him with our worship and needs. Our God is honored when we expect Him to answer our petitions. Our Lord is big enough without limitation to demonstrate on every occasion that He can and will fully meet all our needs today and every day.
“And whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (I John 3:22).