Accept the word “no”.
One of the ways Christians explain God’s goodness and His plans for you is by referencing Ephesians 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (NKJV).
It’s great news to tell and it’s great news to hear. The person telling has an opportunity to instill hope in someone and assure them that God has more for their life. The person hearing now believes that whatever they want will be given to them and, as a plus, will be given in double or triple measures.
Wrong. Yet, rightfully so.
It takes basic reading comprehension skills to determine what is implied in a passage. But it takes Biblical comprehension to determine what is meant in a scripture. If I were to base my understanding of each scripture solely on what is implied, I would have a false perspective of the Bible and God. Romans 3:24 implies that I can sin freely because I am justified freely by the simple fact that Jesus died for my sins. Later in Hebrews 10:26, it is explained that intentional sin is not defensible. 2 Corinthians 5:17 implies that becoming a Christ follower removes all temptation and old sinful habits, but Romans 3:23 says all fall short of the glory of God.
Ephesians 3:20 implies that God is faithful to provide everything you ask for, but in abundance. So for a while, I wondered why the scripture wasn’t working for me. It seemed as though the only thing in my life that was abundant was disappointment and frustration — neither of which I asked for. I thought maybe the scripture was wrong.
Until I realized that a large percentage of my anger, disappointment, and frustration has come from misinterpretation of the scriptures and God’s character. Ironically, once I started understanding God’s character, I started understanding the scriptures. God finally revealed to me the meaning of Ephesians 3:20 after months of feeling conflicted and confused.
Our “more” and God’s “more” are two different things. Our more means having more. God’s more means doing more. If you were to ask God for $100,000, and stamp “Ephesians 3:20” and “In Jesus’ Name” onto that prayer — with a misconception of Ephesians 3:20 — you would expect to receive $200,000. Or, at least, any numerical amount that is more than you asked for. Not only that, but you’d expect to receive it soon; because our innate patience is thin.
What if God said “no” to your $100,000 and instead gave you $10,000? You would take it, but with disappointment. Why? Because it’s less than you asked for. You’d think it’s not enough and you’d hope that more is coming.
The answer to your prayer, and my revelation of Ephesians 3:20, is that God will show you that He can do more in your life with ten thousand dollars than you thought you could with a hundred thousand. The more is not always in what you’re given, it’s in what He does.
Maybe it’s not money. Maybe it’s your dream job, dream spouse, dream life. What if God said “no” to your dreams so that you could instead pursue His? The dream He personalized for you. Accepting God’s no takes you to a different level of humility; it illustrates surrender. It builds faith.
Ephesians 3:20 is the perfect promise whenever you’re believing for something. Not because you’re guaranteed to get what you’re asking for; but because what you do get will be exactly what you needed, and more.
More than you asked, thought, or could ever have imagined.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11, NIV
