He Is Able

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3.

Are these verses promising that God will align Himself with whatever you ask or imagine? That God is the cosmic genie in the bottle, only He won’t just grant 3 wishes, but will grant immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. Unlimited wishes. Is this how faith works? Have faith, rub the lamp, and wish away?  We know this isn’t the way it works.  Consider the verses that appear directly before these verses:

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Paul is teaching us that…when Christ dwells in your heart…when you are rooted and established in His love…when you are filled to the measure of all the fullness of God…what you ask for and imagine changes. The asking for and imagining becomes Christ centered and gospel motivated. It becomes less about what you want and more about His mission, glory, and desire.

What are you asking for and imagining that is Christ centered, gospel motivated, and requires the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish?

Perhaps, you imagine a time when hate will no longer flourish, and love will rule the day. A time when we will treat people better, honor them more, and respect for one another will dominate our culture. Pray for that in confidence because you know God is able to do that and more.

Maybe you dream of a day when our culture would know Jesus. They will worship Him more, honor him more, and follow Him more. Pray for that in confidence because you know that God is able to do that and more.

Maybe you have a prodigal in your family. They are living this rebellious life. You just want them to come back to faith and worship Jesus. Pray for that with confidence because you know that God is able to do that and more.

Maybe you long to see joy return to our land. Not a joy in our prosperity but a joy found in the person of Jesus. Pray for that with confidence because you know that God is able to do that and more.

Maybe you want to see revival come to your church. A church with a passionate desire to praise Jesus, reach new people, and serve others. Pray for that with confidence because you know that God is able to do that and more.

Please don’t misunderstand the nature of these verses, Paul doesn’t seem to be promising exactly what God will do in each circumstance. He seems to be pointing people to and celebrating God’s ability, power, and strength. He is celebrating the theological truth about God that He is able.  This is worth celebrating.

Maybe you have become fixated on a specific outcome you desire, but today you can find joy, hope, and peace in the ability and character of your God.

Maybe you have become overwhelmed with desire for a solution, but the Apostle Paul (who was in prison) wants to encourage us to be overwhelmed by God’s glory.

Maybe you are so confident in what you want to happen that you have lost some confidence in what God wants to happen.

Today is a day to rejoice and worship. Not in known outcomes but in our known God. Our God who is able!