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“Five Superlatives of Scripture - Part 4”
Five Superlatives of Scripture - Part 4
Wade Webster
In the last three installments of this study, we examined three superlatives of Scripture: Peace that is beyond understanding, wisdom that is beyond comprehension, and love that is beyond knowledge. In this installment of our series, we will discuss a fourth superlative.
Power Beyond Imagination
Paul wrote, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21). The first thing that Paul asserts is that God is able. As you know, God is all-powerful. There is nothing too hard for Him. Jeremiah wrote, “Now when I had delivered the purchase deed to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the LORD, saying: ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. You show lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them—the Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts. You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings. You have set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, to this day, and in Israel and among other men; and You have made Yourself a name, as it is this day. You have brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror; You have given them this land, of which You swore to their fathers to give them—“a land flowing with milk and honey” (Jer. 32:16-22). With God all is possible. Jesus declared, “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Mat. 19:26). The second thing that Paul asserts is that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think. Please note the adverbs - exceedingly, abundantly. Paul is emphasizing that God is a liberal giver. James wrote, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (Jam. 1:5). Likewise, Jesus declared, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38). I especially like the words pressed down. God doesn’t give a sack of blessings that is mostly air like a bag of potato chips. He gives a sack that has been shaken to get as much in as possible. He gives a container that is pressed down to get as much in as possible. God gives blessings that overflow. In the 23rd Psalm, David wrote, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over” (Psa. 23:5). God is able to give beyond what we ask or even think. However, we must ask, and we must do it in faith. We often have not because we ask not. James wrote, “You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask” (Jam. 4:2). Furthermore, we often do not receive because we do not have faith. Again, James wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord” (Jam. 1:5-7).
