Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
Ephesians 3:20-21
20 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Have you ever run out of ideas? Have you ever mulled over a problem without reaching a solution? I recently spent an evening trying to solve a complex math problem with my middle schooler and I was quickly reminded of my human limitations. We like nice and tidy equations in life too, don’t we? A+B should always=C, right? However, mankind is complex and sometimes that means situations result in complex answers.
As we live out life, we experience addition and subtraction, sometimes circumstances are multiplied or divided, and every day is lived out under the common denominator of our sin nature. Sometimes, that can leave us feeling stuck with the wrong answers…but when God enters the equation the math changes!
Our finite understanding of a situation might seem hopeless or impossible, but Ephesians 3:20-21 reminds us that God is at work in us with His mighty power and is able to accomplish infinitely more than our finite minds can even ask for or think about.
God’s Word reminds us that on our own, we are an empty power source. Our strength and power is not found by searching deep within ourselves, or by staying in control of a situation; it is the opposite. Strength is found in following Jesus and choosing His ways over ours. It is said of God’s people, “Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon” (Jeremiah 50:34). Situations and people that oppress us have no power over us. Our strength is in the Lord!
What peace washes over us when we can trust in God’s mighty ways! It frees us to put our attention back on praising God and using our gifts to build up the body of Christ, the church.
We can’t begin to comprehend how wide, how long, how high, and how deep God’s love is for us—it’s too great for us to fully comprehend. Paul explains that this incredible equation of love makes us “complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:19).
Are you wrestling with a problem today? Pray instead. Let your heart echo this passage of prayer that brought Paul to his knees as he prayed about the incredible work that takes place when Christ makes his home in a person’s heart. Put the pencil down, rest, and trust that God has the solution. Nothing stumps God!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, I give you praise today for Your incredible power at work in me. I praise Your mighty ways and trust in Your unlimited power, unlimited resources, and unlimited solutions. Help me surrender to you any problem that I am wrestling with today, and let me trust and rest in your great love instead. In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when trouble pursues, but the righteous are as bold as lions.