“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”
Ephesians 3:20 

This verse begins a doxology, which is all about the praise of God. 

It is an invitation to praise God for His ability to do far more than we can ask or think. Throughout Ephesians, Paul leads us to a bigger view of God, leading us to greater faith. A bigger view of God stirs our affections and causes us to think beyond ourselves and our circumstances. It reminds us of God and what He has done for us in the gospel. It empowers us to live for His glory above all else.  

A couple of things that stand out from this statement: 

God always has a better plan for our lives. 

We think we know what is best for our lives. Therefore, we make plans we believe will get the most out of our lives. Then, we often turn and ask God to bless our plans. But the Bible says God can do more than you can ask or even think. Perhaps it’s best to stop asking God to bless your plans and ask him to show you His plans for your life.  

Many times, our plans take God out of the equation altogether. We come up with plans that we can control and accomplish. When things don’t go as planned, we do whatever we can to take control of the situation and fix it. Sometimes, we even question or blame God because things did not go according to plan. 

The word of God is saying, “God has a much greater plan than you can even consider.“ Imagine what would happen in your life if you truly lived by faith and trusted in His greater plan to do far more abundantly than all we can ask or even think! What a life! What a gift! 

If you seek Him and call upon him in faith, you will get more of Him and see that His plan for your life is greater than yours. Will you trust him with whatever situation lies before you? 

God does not need our help to accomplish His plan. we need His help to align with His plan. 

Look back at Ephesians 3:20: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.” It sounds like such a simple statement, but we must hear it repeatedly. “God is able” – God is able! His power is abundant, and His wisdom is sufficient to accomplish His plans. The power within us to accomplish those plans is given through His Holy Spirit as we trust Him in faith and seek to live for His glory. He does not need our power to help Him – we need His power to do His will for His glory. 

This is a call to listen. We must be willing to listen to God’s voice and trust that His word is good and true instead of taking matters into our own hands. 

And we must remember that we need Him to help us have the faith to trust His plan and purpose. 

Let us strive with His power to do His will for His glory above all else.

Are you willing?

Taken from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL 

READ MORE ON GOD’S PLANS
“Are Your Plans God’s Plans?” by Bryant Wright