by David Paden
 

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." (Eph 3:20) Don't you just love that verse? This is one of the many passages in God's Word that describes His great power. What is the purpose of this passage? This passage is designed to give God's people strength and to remind us that we serve a God who is "ABLE!" I'm reminded of the time when king Nebuchadnezzar threatened to cast Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego into the fiery furnace, and they so courageously exclaimed, "Our God is able to deliver us." (Dan. 3:17) Do we have the same attitude today? Do we believe that God is Able? God is capable of doing far more than we can ever begin to imagine. Consider with me just a few things that God is able to do.

            He is able to save. Many do not obey God for fear that He is not able to save them. Consider David for a moment. He was an adulterer, a liar, a murderer, and yet he was forgiven. (Psa. 51) Consider the words of the apostle Paul. "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (1 Tim. 1:15) I love the message of the Hebrew writer. "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." (Heb. 7:25)

            He is able to answer prayer. The Bible encourages us to have an active prayer life. "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thess. 5:17). Many, however, choose not to pray for fear that God is not able to hear their prayers. The Bible does teach that if an individual harbors sin in his heart God will not hear him (Psa. 66:18), however, the Bible also teaches that God is able to hear and answer the prayers of His faithful children. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him."(1 Jn. 5:14-15) In this passage, we are informed that we can be confident that God hears our prayers. Not only does God hear our prayers, but He also responds to them. This is implied by the phrase "He hears us." Hearing implies a response, and God's response to His children is always favorable. It may not be the answer we are looking for, but it will always be that which is best for us.  

            He is able to bless our lives. Every day that we live, we are showered with numerous blessings. Think of the song "Count your many Blessings." Have you ever tried to put this song into practice? I'm sure that time, paper, and ink would expire before we accomplished a task of such depth. What is the source of our blessings in life? GOD!!! The Psalmist said, "Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation!"(Psa. 68:19) Who blesses us? God! How often does He bless us? Daily! How can He bless us every day that we live? It is because He is ABLE!

               This certainly is not an exhaustive list. There are many other things that God is able to do. Perhaps these thoughts will cause us to realize that the God we serve is a God who is ABLE!