As we face the difficulties of life we are often confused and frightened by our experiences. Our needs exceeds our abilities and we wonder how we can possibly succeed or survive. That’s why it is essential that we keep our focus on the Lord. Faith to face our fears is formed by being familiar with God’s Word (Rom. 10:17). Our text for today is a great example of what we need to remember each day. It reminds us that regardless of what we face God “is able“– and that enables us to keep going.
As J. R. Miller said, “It is a comfort to us to know, when we pray, that God is able to do for us all that we ask.
Paul tells us that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. This is not saying that He will actually give us everything we ask for. We ask sometimes for very unfit things. We think they would supply our wants, or satisfy our heart–hungers, or give us the joy we lack. But really they would not. Perhaps they would do us harm.
God will not give us these things, no matter how earnestly we ask for them.
We may plead to have some impending trouble or burden averted. God is able to do it – we are sure of this. But it may be that His love for us requires that we bear the burden or endure the sorrow. We may be sure; therefore, that there is nothing we may ask which God could not do. If He does not do what we wish, we know that it is better it should not be done.”
