Ephesians 3:20
Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
DAILY READING – – 1 Corinthians 4; 1 Kings 17; Amos 1
When Abbey D’Agostino was to run the women’s 5000-meter qualifying race in the 2016 Olympics, she didn’t know what to expect. However, she knew God was able to exceed her expectations. Relying on God’s grace, she had written on her hand in ink, ‘To Him who is able’. This, she quoted from Ephesians 3:20 that says: “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.”
And indeed, God did for her abundantly above all she could ask or think. Before the end of that race, from an obscure athlete, she was suddenly thrust on the global stage, as she found herself basking in worldwide acclaim.
What led to this was an unusually kind gesture that she showed to her rival. During the race, Abbey had collided with Nikki Hamblin from New Zealand, causing both women to fall. Abbey instinctively jumped up right away, and should have continued her race, as other athletes would. But instead she turned, saw competitor Nikki Hamblin lying on the track, and helped Nikki to her feet. She told Nikki that they both had to finish the race. As the two women continued running, Abby’s gesture of selflessness drew acclaim, from millions watching the Olympics from around the world. Many commended her for her sportsmanship, including the American president.
Also her perseverance and indefatigable spirit in the race drew attention. Due to the collision with Nikki, Abbey suffered a serious injury in her right knee, that caused her to fall a few times on the track. And though she should have stopped, it became a tremendous demonstration of faith, as she continued running with her injury. As she ran with the pain, she managed to run for almost another 2000 meters, which is a distance of over 21 football fields! She essentially ran 40% of the race on one leg. When later asked how she managed to complete this incredible feat, she attributed it all to the power of God and His exceeding grace.
Her action in the race earned her the International Olympic Committee’s Fair Play Award. She was also nominated for several other awards.
Faced with sudden fame and seemingly endless media requests, Abbey embraced the opportunity to talk to the world about her faith.
Indeed the scripture verse she had written in her hand became her reality. God did for Abbey, far more abundantly than all that she could ask or think.
Throughout the scriptures we find expressed God’s excessive benevolence towards His children. Our God is a God of abundance, a God of miracles, who desires to pour His blessing into our lives in an exceeding abundant way. He is able to do more for us than we can ever ask or think possible.
God’s capacity to do far exceeds our capacity of asking or our capacity of even imagining. Whatever we can believe, we can receive. And whatever we can conceive, we can achieve. We serve the God of all possibilities.
This year, God has given us wings to fly! We are to mount up and soar like eagles. No walls can confine us! No barriers can hold us back! There is no limit to the heights we can attain. Let us therefore not limit God in our thinking. Let us know that in this year of eagle’s flight, anything and everything is possible. There is nothing God can not do. There is no height He cannot take us to, if only we believe. As far as your eyes can see, it shall be given to you. All things are possible to him that believes.
Indeed our God is able. There is no inability in Him. It is possible for man to think and not have the ability to do, but not God. Whatever His mouth promises, His hand is also able to perform. Nothing handicaps Him.
God is able to do infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope—more than we would dare to imagine. God is far above and beyond our finite minds.
His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways. Our thoughts, even at their best, are not His thoughts! As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are His thoughts above ours.
God is not only able to do amazing things for us, but also able to do great things for us in ways and manners that exceeds our imagination.
How much blessing does He want you to have? Luke 6:38 answers, “…good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over shall men give into your bosom.”
How much victory can we have in Christ? Romans 8:37 says that, “…we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”
How much grace is available to us? Romans 5:20 states, “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound ”
How great is His peace? Philippians 4:7 answers, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
How much power can we have in our lives? Ephesians 1:19, says that we can know, “…what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe…”
Indeed we serve the God of excessive power, excessive grace, and excessive peace. And through study of The Word we build our faith to be able to receive His abundant blessings. When we line up with His Word in our thoughts, words and actions, He will do exceedingly abundantly far and beyond what we could ever ask or imagine!
PRAYER:
Lord please help me to stretch the limits of my faith. I know indeed You can do exceedingly abundantly above all I could ever ask or imagine, therefore do in my life that which only You can do. Turn me into a sign and wonder to my world, this year in Jesus Name.
QUOTE
It takes a heart for God to make a mark in the sands of time. – WORDBITE 201.
[ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK SUPERNATURAL LOVE OF GOD]