Ephesians 3:20, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” NLT
If you could ask for anything right now, what would it be? What would fulfill your dream? Would it be something related to wealth, your status, or maybe having more power, appreciation and, or recognition? We all have wanted some of those things at times. However, in the Bible, in 1 Kings 3:5, God asks King Solomon, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon could have asked for anything, but he humbly asked, “Give me an understanding heart, so that I may govern my people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:9. Solomon was more concerned about having wisdom to make right decisions in leading well, from having “an understanding heart,” given to him by God, to do his job well, rather than material and financial riches. He didn’t ask God to do it for him, but through him.
In the New Testament, we have James 1:5-6, which instructs us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.” How often don’t I wish I could do a “redo” of something I have said? How God’s Word speaks to us in practical wisdom, going beyond human common sense and our own selfishness. A fitting simple prayer would be, “God show me the way. I want to be more Christ-like in my thoughts and words. Help me to do better.” Oh, how I need that!
Dear friend, God has not given you a task that you cannot do. The point is, you cannot do it alone, but Paul declares, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20. “Consider this for a moment. God hasn’t issued us a series of grand and lofty directives and then sat back to see if we would obey them. No, he understands that our sin has rendered us powerless, and that we will not know what we need to know and cannot do what we need to do apart from him. So, he has unzipped us and gotten inside us by his Spirit. His inconceivable power is within us! And it is not only within, it is at work! Paul says that we have been given power that can be compared only to the power by which Christ was raised from the dead.”[1]
Whatever is at the top of your prayer request list, and each one of them on your list, for that matter, have faith in God alone that He will supply your need(s) “infinitely more than what you might ask or think.” There is hope. Despite the sin all around us and against us, and within us, with God’s help, He can transform us by changing us into a new person by changing the way we think (Romans 12:1-2). God is sovereign and rules over everything and “from his glorious unlimited resources will empower you with inner strength through his spirit” (Ephe. 3:16). Live by faith. Trust in Him. The Holy Spirit is at work within you. Remember that word picture of being “unzipped.” He is at work within you right now!
[1] War Of Words. Getting To The Heart Of Your Communication Struggles. Paul David Tripp. Page 44.
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