Christians should never have so much confidence in themselves to feel they don’t need God’s guidance and help in everything pertaining to life. Perhaps there is a need to consider who God is, His sovereignty, His self-existence, His attributes, His promises, and His concern for His children.
History shows believers who assume they are fully capable of doing things on their own without God’s intervention, have discovered it was not as easy as previously thought. The apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). Through Christ is the key. Also, Jesus said, “For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Let’s have faith in God and in His Word. He is most reliable.
We cannot rely on ourselves because we are not perfect. Therefore, we must turn to God in prayer. He has the right answers for any situation, and the perfect solution for any problem. The Scripture says, “God is not a man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? (Numbers 23:19). The right attitude is God says it. I believe it. And that settles it.
The Scripture also states “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work in us” (Ephesians 3:20). Note these words, “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.”
This means God’s answers to our prayers will far exceed our hopes and expectations. Let us bear in mind that God’s wisdom and power are unique to Him alone, because He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and always present. No mortal man can even compare. That’s why our God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.
In context, Ephesians 3:20 is in response to the vast requests the apostle Paul made in his prayer as indicated in verses 14-19. The statement “according to the power at work in us” refers to the indwelling Holy Spirit who leads, guides, and inspires us in our prayers and living the Christian life that’s pleasing to God.
God’s trustworthiness is revealed when He miraculously made the way of escape and deliverance for the children of Israel who were being pursued by the Egyptians through the Red Sea. Amid their panic, distrust, and doubts, ”And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus 14:13,14). This was the assurance that God would deliver his people.
As a result of what Moses told the people, the Scripture says, “Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians” (Exodus 14:30,21). Didn’t God pledge and keep His word? He surely did.
The same, yesterday, today, forever.
Everyone who believes in Him,
Will find He’ll never deny His word,
And He always fulfills His promises.
— Geoff Daniels 10/2021
You and I must get to the point where we completely focus on God, have faith in Him, believe Him, trust Him, and leave the consequences to Him. God will never disappoint. First Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” There is nothing which affects us that God is not able to deal with. Hasn’t He declared, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Don’t trust in self; rather trust in God since He is completely reliable. And our expectation is from the Almighty.
Perhaps there is a feeling of “It’s not necessary to bring God into every situation that affects me, since I can work it out by myself.” This is a completely wrong approach to any situation. God knows what we don’t know. And He is in absolute control of the future. Not us.
Part of a popular well known old hymn says, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” Everything means from the very least to the most complex matter, God will faithfully and graciously respond.
Since God works through prayer, and prayer works with God, prayer must be a way of life for every Christian. God told the prophet Jeremiah, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3).