God’s Spectacular Abilities

In our Prayer Gathering this past Wednesday, we read passages of Scripture high­lighting God’s spectacular abilities:

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,…” (Jude 24).  “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,…” (Ephesians 3:20).

Isaiah 40 emphasizes God’s power:  he created all of the stars and named them, and “not one is missing” (40:26).  What’s more, God never gets tired:  “He does not faint or grow weary” (40:28).

God can do anything—“whatever that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3).  He acts “according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand…” (Daniel 4:35—note that God “is able” to humble the proud, v 37).  In fact, “God is able” from stones to raise up children for Abraham (Matthew 3:9).  Remember, he created in the first place by the sheer power of his word, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3 etc.)

What’s more, Jesus Christ “is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him” (Hebrews 7:25).  No one “is able to snatch” the Good Shepherd’s lambs out of his strong hands (John 10:29).  And as we walk with Christ day by day, he “is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

These texts show not only that God’s power is awesome, but that he applies it in personal ways—for our salvation and spiritual growth.  Still, God often does this by taking a round-about path to accomplish good ends, doing soul-shaping work in us through seasons of weakness and waiting that we must face.

So when you’re struggling to know what God’s up to, remember that he’s strong and wise and just and good:  Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? (Genesis 18:25).  Trust him today.