Far More Abundantly

Daily Reading:  Ephesians 3

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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3.20-21)

Devotional Thought: Lana, my wife, and I love big Christmas trees.  When we lived in Bethel, Ohio, we would go to Corsi's Tree Farm and find the perfect tree.  Often, by the time we got that perfect tree home, it had grown!  One year our eyes were way bigger than my biceps: How would I ever get the crazy thing stood up straight in the stand?  If I put the stand on first, it would get crooked when we pushed it up.  I know, for I’ve found myself cleaning up Christmas tree mess when a tree tipped over!  One year my son-in-law, said, “I’ll do it, Dad!” and he did!  He simply wrapped his arms around it and picked it straight up off the floor while I got down on the floor and slid the stand under it.  Then we were able to "plum" and crank down the clamps. 

There was no way I could have picked up the tree.  He deserved the credit.  The only credit I deserved was being smart enough to let him do it and then to slide the tree stand under it.  That’s the way it is with God.  He does the heavy lifting, but then lets us slide our prayers and faith under a situation that he’s already got under control.  To him be glory!  Forever!

God, who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, is to receive all the glory all the time.  It is, after all, God working in us, doing abundantly more in us.  We must ask and believe (think), but God must do the work.  I don’t get any glory for asking – unless it is in the fact that I’m smart enough to realize I can’t do this myself! 

Prayer: Lord, you are indeed able to do far more than I could ever imagine.  Help me to live in that abundance by faith.  To you be glory forever and ever!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 148.1-6

1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights!

2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts!

3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars!

4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created.

6 And he established them forever and ever; he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.