2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20, Jude 24
Scriptures incessantly point to the fact that He is the God of Divine Ability. Throughout the Old and New Testament, the thought of the magnitude of God’s can-do ability is repeatedly expressed. We can’t, but God can! The more we live is the more we realize how incapable and fragile we all are. The songwriters, Colbert and Joyce Croft were so on target when they penned the words – “But now I can’t even walk without you holding my Hand.” The prophet Hosea took great diligence in reminding the children of Israel of this concept when he declared “It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them” (Hosea 11:3 niv). How Great is our God! It remains a precious truth for us his sainted loved-ones – “We have no lack in Him – only potential!”
In 2 Corinthians 9:8, we are enlightened as we read “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times having all that you need, you will abound, in every good work.” “ . . . in all things . . . at all times . . . all that you need. No matter what it is or when it is, no matter what the need, our God is able to meet the need and supply the grace equal to the challenge. Nobody gives to the cause of the Almighty without getting back a hundredfold and more (Mark 10:30). He is able to supply all that we need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). His riches encompass all of creation in heaven and earth. Our God is not stingy when coming to our provisions. He provides for us sufficiently in all things – “self-satisfaction, contentedness, competence.” He meets all our vital needs, multiplies our seeds sown and gives us enough to share and give to others. How He has blessed us!
This same God is also “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). What a glorious thought, especially for these unpredictably stressful times of the now. As we come hopefully to the end of Covid-19, may this passage of Scripture continue to serve as great inspiration to us. He can do not just “above” not just “exceedingly above” but God, this God that we preach and pray to daily, individually and corporately, He is able to do “exceeding abundantly above” all that we can ask or even think. It really blows our minds to think that whatever we can dream about asking or thinking, He can go immeasurably beyond our request or desire. He can do way beyond our capacity to ask or think. What an incentive for us to continue praying and travailing in prayer, week after week and day after day.
Finally, we are instructed that He is able to keep us from falling (Jude 24). Before we come to the writings of the Apocalypse, the Holy Spirit inspires Jude to bring this one chapter book to an end, not by focusing his attention on the ungodly and their evil works, but by concentrating attention on God, who is fully able to keep us from falling. In his doxology, he strikingly declares “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). The God who provides (2 Corinthians 9:8) and the One who can do exceeding (Ephesians 3:20) is the same One who will keep us from falling and to take us safely over in these times. Stop stressing and fretting –He is Able!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
March 4, 2023
