God is Exceedingly Able
Your Nightly Prayer for Apr. 18, 2025
by Britt Mooney
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us …" - Ephesians 3:20
SOMETHING TO PONDER
“Under promise and over-deliver.” Many in sales and service quote this when dealing with new customers and products. They hedge their bets on the front end, making sure they don’t promise too much, and then when they fulfill the contract, they deliver far more than the customer expects. This results in an amazingly happy customer in almost every case and leads to referrals and more customers by word of mouth. If we reverse the quote, the opposite happens. Those who overpromise and underdeliver get frustrated and dissatisfied customers. People feel scammed.
God over-delivers. Human language is limited and God’s promises limitless. Therefore, our words can’t properly contain or express the eternal reality of God’s promises. Therefore, when God does fulfill his word, it’s even greater than expected.
We see this in the Gospels. The Jews had a definite expectation about the Messiah and what would happen when he appeared. Jesus proved much different but greater. Instead of another temporary, earthly kingdom, Christ brought an eternal one. The writers of the New Testament are overjoyed at being wrong in their original expectations. What Christ brought was far greater.
For us, we must be careful about our expectations. As CS Lewis said, we come to God thinking he’ll fix the sink or other appliances in our little cottage. Then he tears it down. Because he’s out to build a palace. We get disappointed and discouraged at times when things don’t happen according to our timeline or expectations. But God has plans beyond and far greater than we can even imagine, immeasurably so. We must stay faithful and prayerful, living by the Spirit within us to endure and see him deliver on his promises.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
You are the God who always over-delivers. Your promises are beyond our comprehension, and your plans exceed our expectations. Forgive us when we doubt or grow discouraged because we can’t see the fullness of what you’re building for us. Teach us to trust your timing, to walk by faith, and surrender our limited expectations for your greater glory. Strengthen us to endure, knowing you are always working for our good.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. When have you experienced someone exceeding your expectations? How did that make you feel?
2. What are some people or things you pray for that seem impossible? How does this verse change your confidence in God answering those prayers?
3. Think about the things you pray for. Are they too small for God? Can you ever pray too big? Pray big.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Tero Vesalainen
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Originally published Friday, 18 April 2025.
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