But Paul's benediction in the middle of his letter to the Ephesians is anything but a final set of ho hum kind of words:
Ephesians 3:20-21
“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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”
This comes at the end of an epic prayer (3:14-21) that the church in Ephesus would be strengthened so that Christ could dwell in them, he prays that they not only be grounded in love, but also comprehend the incomprehensible love of God that is in Christ Jesus and closing that we would be filled to the fullness of God. Mind blowing stuff really. And that is why he ends with these words that God would do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...I don't think Paul even really understood how God would do these things.
So what do you imagine that God would do for you today? Do you even think he wants to do anything for you this day? If you have come to think that God just tolerates you or keeps putting up with you or has resigned to being perpetually disappointed with you...its pretty hard to believe God loves you, much less was interested to help you in anyway.
But look at the benediction once more.
John Stott breaks down these couple verses to show all that God does to build our faith again--that God loves us:
1. God can do…he is not idle, not sleeping, not distracted, not dead
2. He answers prayer…The God of the universe hears you.
3. Able to do what we think and imagine—He reads our minds (better than Santa Claus!)…before a word is out of our mouths he knows it already…what do you imagine for you life? Have you told God that? If you do not ask, do not receive.
4. All we ask…every detail, every hearts cry
5. Beyond what we ask…His expectations are more than we think!
6. More Abundantly…not calculated pieces or parcelled out fragments of grace
7. Far More abundantly…Vastly more than more! There are no limits to what God can do. The angel Gabriel would tell Mary, 'With God nothing is impossible' Luke 1:37
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
That's what God wants to do for you today. On a cloudy, cold November morning...God has a good, big plan for you and I. Amen.
'Christ's love is as incomprehensible as his riches unsearchable' John Stott
