“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all we ask or think, according to the power
that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church forever and ever, Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21, NASB)
These words penned by the Apostle Paul to the church of Ephesus serve as a powerful reminder to every believer as we journey through life. Indeed, every one of us encounters times when things are tough. Sometimes, life just doesn’t go as planned. Things on the job may not be going as planned. Things with your spouse may not be going as planned. Things with your children may not be going as planned. Things with your friends may not be going as planned. Things in your church may not be going as planned. Yes, all of us can agree, life can be tough.
The tough times of life can offer an opportunity for us to grow closer to Christ or can cause us to move farther away from Him. During those valleys, anyone of us can easily become prey to fear which leads to depression and anxiety instead of clinging to God. Oh, that we could be like David when he wrote in Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”
Too often, we start blaming God and asking Him the very popular question, “Why?” Many times, we are even guilty of bartering with God saying, “If you do this, then I will do this.” Or we try to reason with God saying things like, “God, I do this, this, and this for you. Why am I struggling so much?”
The Apostle Paul had a powerful testimony. He was a brilliant man with a deep knowledge of the law. He was a religious man respected by others. He was a zealot with a passionate vendetta against the followers of Christ and worked hard persecuting those who claimed to be disciples. Yet, one day, Paul had a head on collision with Jesus. He literally had the blinding light experience. That experience led this persecutor of the Christian to become a preacher of the Gospel. Paul wore many hats other than that of tent maker. He was an evangelist, a teacher, a missionary, fund raiser.
This man who impacted so many with the Gospel knew about struggles . . . beaten, abused, mocked, shipwrecked, imprisoned all in the pursuit of preaching Christ. Yet, this man never wavered. He wrote Ephesians 3:20-21 from experience. No matter how tough or difficult life could be. Paul confidently knew, “God is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church forever and ever. Amen.”
Is this your testimony? No matter how hard life can be, recognize God is able. Let Him do far more than you can ask or think – not for your glory – but for the glory of Christ.
