Above All That We Understand

Above All That We Understand

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or understand, according to the power that works in us . . . .”

We see that God can do mighty things, and yet He is limited by the power that works in us. What kind of power is this? Prior to the above scripture reference we read about being rooted and grounded in love. Love is a tremendous power. It is written about love that it endures all things and bears all things. 1 Cor. 13:7. If we abide in love, God can work in us and through us. If we fall out of love, He can no longer use us. We can pray and pray, but God is love, and He cannot work or answer our prayers if we fall out of love. However, if we abide in love, there are no limits to what God can and will do. Therefore Paul prays that we may be strengthened by His Spirit in the inner man, so that everything we encounter serves only this one purpose: to be rooted and grounded in love. Then He can do exceedingly abundantly above what we understand or pray for.

Let us think about Joseph and his relationship to his brothers. God could not have revealed His glory through him if they had managed to bring him out of love. We see what God was able to do because Joseph was faithful. God did exceedingly abundantly more than what Joseph understood to ask for. This was also the case with all the prophets. They remained in their love for God and people (Jas. 5:10-11), thus glorifying God throughout all generations. None of these men of God could understand the great significance they would have for future generations because of their faithfulness. We speak about them and praise God for them until this very day.

“Love . . . does not seek its own, is not provoked, keeps no accounts of evil . . . .” Because they remained in love, God could manifest His might, and glorify His name through them. When we abide in love, this word is fulfilled: “To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Eph. 3:21.