Today’s meditation is based on 2 Corinthians 9:8, which reads, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (ESV)
We will dwell on the words, ‘God is able’ and study the scriptures to see how we can with faith comprehend this truth, and apply it to our lives. In the earlier message we considered the fact that God is able to keep us from stumbling or faltering. Often times we wonder if we can overcome all the problems that come our way, and if we will be able to stand faultless before the presence of the Lord. God’s word reminds us that we have a God who is able to keep us from falling. When hard-pressed by certain circumstances that surround us, there is a doubt if God is able to keep us protected. Let’s be sure that God is able to make us stand firm no matter how huge or how complicated our trials may be. Not only does God deliver us, He also elevates us to a higher level.
Whenever people find fault with us, they do so not understanding our situation in its entirety, and sometimes they harbor bitterness against us based on someone else’s opinions. Every time someone brings an accusation against God’s own, God takes note of it. We read in the bible about Daniel, and also about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as to how they were falsely charged. They were unjustly punished and thrown in to the Lion’s den and the fiery furnace. Though their enemies who plotted against them thought everything was over, the Lord intervened to do the impossible. Not only did God deliver these men from all these deadly perils, He also honored them, and elevated them to higher positions. As children of God if there are those who malign you, speak ill of you and spoil your good reputation, remember that God will not remain silent for He will intervene on your behalf, and also deal rightly with those who falsely accuse you. Let us be bold as children of God, and say it over and over again that our God is able.
God is able to do far more abundantly
We read in Ephesians 3:20, “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,..” (ESV)
Many times we think that it would be good if certain things happened for us as we desire, some of which we speak about openly, and others which just remain as a thought only. The verse mentioned above reminds us that God is able to do far more abundantly, even more than we ask or think, and that too according to His power that is at work within us.
Let me explain this with some examples from the bible. We will study the life of the patriarchs of faith namely Abraham and Jacob.
When we study the life of Abraham, we realize that he too was not too firm in his faith as he started out, was sometimes confused and also sought God for his needs.
Abram’s problem
We read in Genesis 15:1-2, After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” (ESV)
Though God assured Abram that He was his shield and also his exceeding great reward, Abram was only consumed with the thought that he was childless. Though we refer to Abraham as the Father of Faith, we see that at this point in his life, he was lamenting like any other ordinary man.
There are so many promises that the Lord has given to us, but in spite of this we often keep grumbling about one or two things that are lacking in our lives. God’s word reminds us that we have a God who works to do far more exceedingly more than we can ask or even imagine.
God gives Abram the bigger picture
We read in Genesis 15:5, And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (ESV)
God brought Abram out of his tent, and made him look up at the night sky. Abram was travelling like a nomad, and the Lord had to remind him of His greater plan for Abram’s life. Though Abram was a wealthy man who had it all, the fact that he had no child made him feel disgraced. The Lord made Abram look up at the night sky, and gave him the job to count the stars in the sky. I imagine Abram in obedience to the Lord would have tried to count the stars from various directions, and found that it was an appalling task. God had to remind Abram that while he was pleading with God for one child, God would give him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. The God who gave this promise to Abraham was the Almighty God who was well able to do it, and He fulfilled it just as He said.
Often our problem we draw a narrow circle around ourselves, and expect God to answer our prayers. Sadly, even many believers have become so narrow-minded that we only expect what those who don’t know the Lord are seeking after. For many all they want in life is to have good education, find a good job, get married, have children, bring them up well, get them settled, and also to build their own house and buy their own vehicle. These are all the mundane things that we need to get out of to understand God’s greater plan for our lives.
If we want to see the fulfillment of God’s promises in our lives, we have to do our, part and God will do His.
Abraham trusted God against all odds
This is what Abraham did as we read in Romans 4:18-19, “When there was nothing left to hope for, Abraham still hoped and believed. As a result, he became a father of many nations, as he had been told: "That is how many descendants you will have." Abraham didn't weaken. Through faith he regarded the facts: His body was already as good as dead now that he was about a hundred years old, and Sarah was unable to have children.” (GW)
Abram had no way for one child, and God was telling Abram that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky. Though there was no evidence to believe, Abram still believed God, and did not waver or weaken in his faith. Abraham was a hundred years old, and his wife Sarah was well past the age of child bearing, but Abraham did not give it much thought. We may question as to how Abraham never thought about these hindrances.
God gives us His promises to His children, and it is up to us to trust God to fulfill the same. When we go to a doctor, and explain a weakness, they will examine us, and will sometimes give us a diet to follow to overcome that weakness if there is a deficiency of some sort. If we want to see changes, we follow the doctor’s instructions, and with time we get over that weakness.
Each one of us has a limitation to our thinking capacity. So also we can only hold certain things in our heart. As far as Abraham was concerned he filled that space with God’s word and promise. Abraham’s faith was in the fact that God promised him that his descendants would be like the stars in the sky.
If there are children in your home who take away your peace or there are members in your family who are creating trouble, the promise that you can hold on to is Isaiah 54:13, which says, “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.”(ESV)
Don’t speak according to your situation, but trust God to do the impossible. Abraham and Sarah had nothing to fall back on as they were both old and their bodies were as good as dead. There was no evidence to back up the promise of God that they would have a child of their own. Remember that when the body fails the word of God is powerful and alive. Speak the word of God and fill your hearts with His word and there will be no room for doubt. God is faithful to keep His promises, and if we can hold on to it only then will we experience God performing things that are beyond what we can ask or think.
There are two important aspects we must never forget, one is the promises of God, and the other is our faith in God’s word and His promises. If we hold on to the promise, but keep grumbling about our situation then there is wavering in our thinking which results in confusion. Don’t keep looking at circumstances that are not changing or the problems that are looming large before you. Instead, put your faith in God, and see the wonders that He will perform far beyond your expectations and your thinking.
Let’s look at the life of another patriarch and learn something from him as well.
Jacob’s predicament
We read in Genesis 28:20, Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, (ESV)
Jacob had deceived his father, cheated his brother, got all the blessings but had to run away from home because of his brother’s threat to kill him. As Jacob crossed the river and fled for his life, Jacob who was called deceiver, was all alone and looked to the Lord with no one to turn to. The prayer Jacob prayed to God was for God to protect him, because he was filled with fear as he had to leave his father and mother with no idea as to what lay ahead for him in the future. The other thing that he asked God was for food to eat and clothes to wear. Both of these we know are basic needs, and that’s what Jacob prayed for in desperation. However, Jacob did not realize that he was the descendant of Abraham, and hence was the recipient of God’s promised blessing made to Abraham. The circumstances did not attest to this fact for Jacob as he fled, with no security even for his life. God who promised is faithful, and His promise never failed Jacob.
The blessings that God bestowed on Jacob
Many years later Jacob returned back to his home, and heard that his brother Esau was also coming to meet him.
This is what we read in Genesis 32:16, He divided these animals into herds and assigned each to different servants. Then he told his servants, “Go ahead of me with the animals, but keep some distance between the herds.” He gave these instructions to the men leading the first group: “When my brother, Esau, meets you, he will ask, ‘Whose servants are you? Where are you going? Who owns these animals?’ You must reply, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob, but they are a gift for his master Esau. Look, he is coming right behind us.’” (NLT)
The man who went alone was now returning with servants, herds and with two entourages. All that Jacob asked God when he fled was that He protect him, and give him food and clothes, but God gave Jacob more than He could imagine. The reason for this blessing was because of the promise that God made.
Maybe some of you are worried about your family, your children, finances, health or your job. God’s word from Ephesians 3:20 is “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,..” (ESV) Keep on saying God is able to fulfill His promises. Abraham and Jacob were so different in their characters, but they trusted in the same God, and the one who was faithful to fulfill His promises to them is the same God who will do so for us.
If you are thinking that the days of Abraham and Jacob were different as they were Old Testament patriarchs, let me give you an example from the days of Jesus. This will help us realize that we believe in the same God.
Peter’s efforts were futile
This account is found in Luke chapter 5. We read in Luke 5:1-5, that one day when Jesus was walking by the shores of the Sea of Genasaret, Peter the fisherman was washing his nets after he brought his boats to the shore. They had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus asked Peter to loan Him his boat so He could sit and teach from the boat. Peter willingly gives it, and when the crowd was listening to the teachings of Jesus, I guess Peter too was listening in.
There are many children of God who are laboring hard, but gaining nothing. This year make every effort to read and listen to the word of God and set aside time to do so. Don’t neglect the coming together as a church for the more you listen to God’s word, faith will increase. This faith is what will help you overcome the world.
The astounding miracle
Just imagine the huge boats, the heavy nets were all washed and set aside. At this point Jesus asked Peter to go again into the deep and throw his net. Peter heard the words of Jesus, with faith goes inside with his boat, and cast his net into the sea.
This is what happened as we read in Luke 5:6-7, “They let them down and caught such a large number of fish that the nets were about to break. So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full of fish that the boats were about to sink.” (GNT)
When Peter obeyed not only did he get an incredible catch of fish, the boats of his partners too were filled, and both boats were about to sink. Yes, we have a God who can do much more than we can ask or even think. However, Peter did two things to receive this miracle. Firstly, he heard the words of Jesus and secondly, he obeyed the word. We too must listen to God’s word taught by sound teachers of the word. As we do so our faith will grow. Like Peter one boat will not be enough, but you will need two boats both of which were full and overflowing.
Today God is willing to do His part, but we have to do our part as well. We must listen to the word, fill our hearts with the word, and be willing to do as God says. When we do so, surely God will do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
