Do you feel overwhelmed when it comes to the divine burden God has placed in your life? Maybe you feel unequipped or unprepared to take action on that burden God has given you. Maybe the task seems so significant or so challenging that you wonder how anything can change. If you have had any of these thoughts, be encouraged today. You see, our human power and wisdom are limited, but God is unlimited. As a result, we must never underestimate God's power to work, especially in the burdens He places on our hearts. Nehemiah knew God could work as he acted on his divine burden to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and, as a result, he never gave up. We must never underestimate the power of God at work in the world and in our lives.
The apostle Paul reminds us not to underestimate God's power to work in any area, including the divine burdens God has given us, in Ephesians 3. As this chapter of Ephesians came to an end, Paul broke out into a song of praise. He wrote, “All glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (verse 20). This is a promise that each one of us can claim. Indeed, God’s power is beyond anything we can imagine. Even more, His power is at work within us. What is the result of God’s power at work within us? In us, “God is able to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” On our own power, we are weak. In our limited understanding, we cannot imagine what God can do through us. God can do infinitely more than we could even think to ask.
We must never underestimate God's power to work within us to accomplish the divine burdens God has given us. The task may seem insurmountable. The obstacles against us may seem too difficult. We may feel weak. In the midst of insurmountable tasks, overwhelming obstacles, and our own weaknesses, God is at work. As a result, we can move forward with great confidence as we set out to address the burdens He has given us! Take heart, my friend. You may feel unequipped and unprepared to have an impact for Christ, but God is at work through you, and He can accomplish even more than you could dream to ask for!
Memorize Ephesians 3:20. Bring it to mind often, especially when it comes to the divine burdens that God has given us. Let this verse be a reminder to you that God can do infinitely more in you than you could ever imagine, even when the burden God has placed on your heart seems enormous and too difficult. He can do more than we could even think or imagine.
1 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles. . . 2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
