[Now] to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.—Ephesians 3:20-21
As we memorize these words from Ephesians 3:20-21, consider how inadequate they are for describing the glory that is being revealed. When preaching on this passage, Martyn Lloyd Jones said:
If ever language was strained, it is strained in this doxology. Of course he (Paul) strains language because language is inadequate. He is trying to define the indefinable. He is trying to measure the immeasurable. He is trying to put into terms that we can grasp the illimitable and the absent.
As inadequate as these words are, let them help us ponder the greatness of the power of God. In its simplest form the truth is that God is able to do all that we ask. All! There is nothing that we ask that is beyond God’s power to accomplish. We ask for the ordinary things, the great things, a multitude of needs to be met and problems to be solved. We ask for faith, forgiveness, pardon, salvation, healing and undeserved grace and mercy.
Take a moment to ponder all that has been asked of God. Nothing that the Apostle Paul asked for is beyond the power of God. Consider what the apostles, the prophets, the patriarchs asked. Consider what George Mueller asked or Hudson Taylor. Consider all that the children of God—past present and future—have ever or will ever ask of God and we will find nothing reaches beyond the scope of God’s power.
God’s power not only exceeds what we ask. It exceeds what we think; what we imagine; what we dream possible. Consider all that you and the people of God in every generation have pondered. Nothing we think of is outside God’s ability unless it contradicts his nature (like sin).
Now that we are totally overwhelmed by such glorious Omnipotence, we see that God is able to do all that we ask or think “abundantly.” Not only is God able to feed 5,000 with five loaves and two fish; he is able to do it abundantly with 12 baskets left over. Not only is God able to give Abraham and Sarah children in their old age, He can multiply their offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. Forgiveness abounds! Pardon for sin is beyond measure! God’s steadfast love endures forever! His power is never exhausted.
“Abundantly able” is still inadequate. It is too limiting for describing the power of an infinitely glorious God so the Apostle takes it another step. Not only is this power more. Not only is it abundantly more. It is “far more abundantly than all we ask or think.” A lot more! Over the top more than ever imagined. A river of delights that never runs dry. A fountain of life that never ends.
This is the inexhaustible power of our God. The power that is at work to accomplish His unstoppable purposes. The power that raised our Lord Jesus from the dead. The power that transforms hearts of stone into hearts of flesh. And this is the power that is at work within us for His everlasting glory “in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!”
Thou art coming to a King, Large petitions with thee bring; For His grace and power are such, None can ever ask too much; —John Newton
David Michael is co-founder and Executive Director of Truth 78. David says that memorizing Scripture has been one of the most effective ways to apply Philippians 4:8, “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”