“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, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (KJV, Eph. 3:20).
“Now unto him”
Father, You are worthy of praise. You have been God from eternity past and have always existed as God. You were not created, nor did You at one point assume Your divinity. You are self-existent and self-sufficient. Every created thing demands Your involvement.
In the book of Job, I am told that if You were to take back Your Spirit from me, I would return to the dust. In the book of Hebrews, I am reminded that Jesus upholds the universe by the Word of His power. Finally, in John’s Gospel, I am told that You hold me in the palms of Your hands and that nobody can pluck me out of Your grasp.
Thank You for being involved in my life. You orchestrate all events to fulfill Your sovereign plan. You are moving all things toward the second coming of Christ and the new heavens and the new earth. No matter how bad things may seem or how many attempts the enemy makes at thwarting Your glory, the words of Joseph ring true that what the enemy meant for evil, You meant for good.
Your wisdom knows no bounds. You are unparalleled in Your intellect and ability to apply what You know in the world in which I live. Hundreds and thousands of years before events occur, You foretold them through Your prophets. Despite all the moving pieces, Your Word holds true, and the prophecies come to pass. You are truly God, and I am humbled at the sight of You.
“that is able”
You are a God Who is able to do all things. You are omnipotent. You are the Almighty God Who brought the world into existence. You are the Almighty God in Whom Abraham looked for the fulfillment of Your covenantal promises.
Sometimes I find that I can grow weak in my faith. Sometimes I look at my life and think that You cannot fix all my problems. It is easier for me to look into the Bible and see what You have done and believe it rather than believe You will do it for me. However, I must remember that You are able.
You are my Father just as much as anyone in the Bible. You care for me just as much as You did Abraham. May I never remain in a state of unbelief. May I always look to You as the God Who can work miracles, raise the dead, give sight to the blind, make the lame walk, make the mute talk, and the deaf hear. While in Your sovereign will, You may choose not to remove a thorn in my life just as You did Paul, who prayed three times for his thorn to be removed. However, may I never break faith and believe that You are not at work in my life.
“to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask”
I realize that I ask a lot of You in prayer. Sometimes I see that my list of petitions grows rather long. I may even begin to feel as though I am asking too much. But here I see Paul’s words reminding me that You are able to do much more than I ask of You. As a result, I am struck with the thought that no matter what I ask of You, I may not be asking enough.
You are able to do the impossible. Your grace abounds to me, and You enjoy answering my requests. This does not mean that You will give me everything I ask for, nor would that be good for me, as I do not know what their reception would ultimately bring. However, You know, and I thank You, that I can pray to an all-wise God Who can sort through my prayers. I am confident in Your Word and believe when it tells me that You will work all things for my good.
“or think”
Not only are You able to do more than I ask, but You can do more than I think. I have some lofty thoughts occasionally, but Your thoughts must be even higher. For example, I would desire to conquer sin in my life, and I often think about it. However, whatever thoughts I have on the subject, Your thoughts are far greater concerning my holiness. Your ability to make me like Christ is far greater than my thoughts on becoming like Him.
“according to the power”
It is according to Your power that You are able to do more than I could ever ask or think. Your power is beyond human comprehension. There is nothing on all the earth that could compare. A nuclear missile does not come close to the power You have. You created the entire universe by simply speaking, and it came to pass. The book of Hebrews tells me that You created the universe out of nothing. There is nothing to compare Your power with properly. It stands alone as remarkable and glorious.
“that worketh in us”
Father, I am taken back by Your Words. Your power is not at work outside of me. Instead, Paul tells me that You are working within me. I am thankful for the work of Your mighty power within. I need Your help to honor You from the heart, not simply outward acts of religiosity. In the Old Testament, You contrasted Saul with David and said that man looks on the outward appearance but that You look into the heart
.
The heart has always been important to You. When Christ came and shared His Sermon on the Mount, He spoke pointedly on matters of the heart. It is not enough to act holy; I must be holy. It is not enough to appear righteous; I must be righteous. Your Word tells me that as I think in my heart, so am I. Therefore, cleanse me from sin this day and make me like Christ from the heart.
“Unto him be glory in the church”
You are deserving of much glory. You are the Author of salvation. You sent Your Son Jesus to live a sinless life and die for me on the cross. He took my guilt and shame on Calvary’s Hill. He bore the wrath that I deserved and died in my place. But He rose from the grave, defeated death, conquered the grave, ascended into heaven, and took His seat at Your right hand.
Jesus ever lives to make intercession for me. He is my Great High Priest and King. He is Lord and God. Therefore, you are deserving of praise, honor, and glory. Would You give me words so that I could honor You in them?
“by Christ Jesus”
Jesus Christ is the One Who came to glorify You. He has accomplished Your will, and everything He did was pleasing in Your sight. He has shown the watching world how to live for You and honor You. No one has ever seen You, but Christ has made You known. While Satan sought to rob You of Your glory, Christ came to reverse the effects of the fall. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ.
“throughout all ages, world without end. Amen”
There will be no end to Your glory. You will receive praise, honor, and glory throughout all eternity. In the book of Revelation, I can see glimpses of heaven. The Bible says, “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev. 4:10-11). May I never forget You have created me for Your glory. Teach me to cast my crown before Your feet and worship You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.