How able is God? The Bible has the answer. In concluding his prayer to God, the apostle Paul prays, “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, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen”(Ephesians 3:20,21). Note these words, “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. The KJV reads: ”unto Him who is able do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” This part of Paul’s prayer has a most significant lesson for believers in Jesus Christ.
To better see what is meant here, let us take a look back at Paul’s prayer for knowledge and power in Ephesians 1:17-19 where he prayed “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His great might.” As we can see,God is making it known to us His children that “the immeasurable greatness of His power” is available for us “to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in [our] inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). Doesn’t this clearly reinforces that God “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think?”
We must never underestimate or treat lightly the infinite capabilities of our sovereign God. His omnipotence transcends our highest expectations. That is why when we approach God in prayer, we must have the “super” confidence that God is able to perform that which he promises. We read about Abraham that “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” And Paul wants us to know that this does not only apply to Abraham but also to Christians right now. He continues “But the words “It was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:20-25). The “for” in both instances may be rendered “on account of.” It was “on account of” our offenses that Jesus died. And then He was raised “on account of” our justification. “We have now been justified by His blood” (Romans 5:9).
The background to Abraham’s situation is that God promised Abraham and his wife Sarah that they would have a son. However, this would not take place right away but many years hence. Abraham continued to wait patiently for God to fulfill His promise. God did actually fulfill His promise. It’s worth noting that while Abraham waited, “he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.” Can this be truly said of you and me? Let us be always aware that God is most worthy of our confidence. Abraham firmly believed God.
Trusting God requires patience and discipline. What God knows we don’t know. The future belongs to God alone. No matter what the circumstances may be, God cannot and will not do any thing that is inconsistent with His will and purposes. Neither will He do anything that goes contrary to His divine nature, or His Word. One of the most basic things Christians can do is to simply take God at His Word. That is wonderful and vibrant faith in action. The scripture says that Abraham’s faith was “counted to him as righteousness,” which means that God credited righteousness to Abraham’s account. This mighty God we serve is able to do the very same for you as well. Why not trust Him to work in your life. He will never fail you because He is God and He has pledged His word. The key is to trust and obey God’s Word and leave the consequences to Him.
The following is excerpted from William MacDonald based on Ephesians 3:20,21. “Paul’s Doxology (3:20,21) The prayer closes with a soul-inspiring doxology. The preceding requests have been vast, bold, and seemingly impossible. But God is able to do more in this connection than we can ask or think. The extent of His ability is seen in the manner in which Paul pyramids words to describe superabundant blessings:
Able
Able to do
Able to do what we ask
Able to do what we think
Able to do what we ask or think
Able to do all that we ask or think
Able to do above all that we ask or think
Able to do abundantly above all that we ask
or think
Able to do exceedingly abundantly above all
that we ask or think
The means by which God answers prayer is given in the expression, “according to the power that works in us”(Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1931).
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things, at all times, you may abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).