FILED WITH THE
by Rev. Stanley Collins
JulmM
A s we study Scripture, we find such blessed promises that pro vide a marvelous benediction upon our lives. Such a glorious poem of praise is found in Ephesians 3:20 and 21, “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.” What a tremen dous word precedes this in Paul’s prayer that believers may be filled with all the fulness of God. Of course, there is a fulness of God that belongs only to Him. This is abso lute sinless perfection. When we are with Him, and know Him, we shall be like Him. There is a wonderful sense, however, in which we may be filled to our capacity with the fulness of God. To me this statement, “Now unto Him who is able,” is probably one of the greatest statements in Scripture. Just think of the magni tude of this promise! He is right now, present tense, able. There are so few people in the world who are able to do much of anything. Have you ever gone to a meeting where the pianist has failed to show up? Someone has gotten up to ask for volunteers. That’s just asking for trouble. The person who usually will come forward, will be someone who plays in New Testament manner. That is their right hand never knows what their left hand is doing! The end result is absolutely devastating. After the service is over, someone is bound to come up and say, “You should know this lady here who is a wonderful pianist.” You almost feel like saying, “Why didn’t she come up when we asked for volunteers ?” Here was one who was terribly willing but 6
not talented enough, while there was somebody else who could do the job but who was embarrassed or unwill ing. Very often the able and the will ing are not the same people, Not so with God, for He is always able and is ever willing! One of the interesting things in life is the many castles in the air that we all dream about. We make so many wonderful plans of all the things we are going to do. The prob lem is that all too seldom are they brought to fruition. The tragedy is that we have such great ideas, but we don’t have the ability to carry them out. Our God is not only able to plan, but also to do. He’s given ample evidence in crea tion , providence, preservation, salvation, and, as a matter of fact, in everything He does He’s got the whole world in His hand. In relation to our praying, God is able not only to do what we ask but also what we even dare to think. Ask or think so that your thinking may be accompanied by your asking. We are never able to ask too much, or anything that is too difficult. You can’t think anything too great. Our God is infinite. We need have no fear when we come to God in prayer. The one thing we have to be sure of is that we are asking according to His will. But Paul doesn’t just leave this here, as wonderful as it is. There’s nothing we can ask or think that’s beyond the power of the Lord. This is the most wonderful encourage ment to pray, is it not? As the hymn- writer put it, “Oh, what peace we often forfeit; oh, what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” Some times we are asking to the best of our knowledge and ability, but God
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