“Exceeding, Abundantly Above”

"Exceeding, Abundantly Above"

     We will not see most of the answers to our prayers offered in this lifetime as we "walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7).  It is a blessing when we do, but unseen answers actually do far more to encourage confidence in our Heavenly Father than His obvious responses.

    "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end, Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21).

    God's purposes in the Lord Jesus Christ are so vast in measure and mode that we cannot begin to process all He does in response to our prayers.  When we ask Him to provide a  morsel of bread, He gives the Bread of life as His primary provision: "My God shall supply all Your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).  In some manner far beyond our comprehension, our Heavenly Father spiritually administers His Son in every answer to prayer.  How could we begin to see all of the grace and truth bestowed on hearts, even as the Lord provides for bellies?  Impossible, and in our limited vision lies our greatest confidence.  Indeed, if we could see and understand every answer to prayer, our temporary satisfaction would ultimately dissolve in the realization of Divine limitations.  We would come to a dark place wherein God would be like ourselves.  "Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself" (Psalm 50:21).  Few more horrifying notions present themselves to our hearts and minds, and let us rejoice that unseen and incomprehensible answers to prayer confirm to us the wonder of the Divine standard, again, "exceeding, abundantly above all we ask or think."

   With God, that which we cannot know about Him shines just as brightly as that which we can comprehend.  "In Thy light shall we see light… the Light shineth in darkness" (Psalm 36:9; John 1: 5).  Applying this truth to the matter of prayer should thrill our hearts and strengthen our determination to pray better and more, as enabled by the Holy Spirit.  He answers our prayers, offered in space and time, with eternal provisions we cannot begin to fathom.  In those times when we see the administration of the morsels requested, let us rejoice.  Let us rejoice even more that that the Bread of life comes with every provision in measure and mode far beyond our capacity to comprehend.  No, we will not see most of our Lord's answers to prayer in this lifetime.  And yes, how glorious, encouraging, and strengthening a truth to know and embrace!  "Exceeding, abundantly above…"

"And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."

(I Timothy 1:14)

Weekly Memory Verse

    "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 

(John 16:33)