“… Superabundantly, Far Over And Above All That We [Dare]
Ask Or Think…” (Eph. 3:20 AMPC)
God’s plan and desire for mankind is Overflow – Overflow with and in His blessings and all kinds of goodness. He made a strong statement in this regard with the Garden of Eden – a special habitation He made for His people, represented by Adam and Eve. Eden was well provided for; lacking in nothing that mankind needed for a satisfying and fulfilling life, within the liberty God has provided (Gen.2:7-17; 21-25). However, following the fall of Satan, which turned him into a rebel and terrorist, things changed. When Satan (Lucifer) rebelled against the authority of God his Maker, a curse was placed on him (see Gen. 3:15; Isaiah 14:12-15). But he was not satisfied with his failure; he started another programme of challenging God by tempting and corrupting mankind, in a bid to make them lose their heritage in God just like he had lost his own. Satan is still executing this plan, hence there are many today who not only rejct God; challenge the authority of God; disdain Him (Psalm14:1-3); but they actively work with Satan their master to deceive others through science and technology; education; culture; music; fashion; sexual intimacy; you name it – all that God intended for good, these people who now operate with corrupt, depraved minds (Rom.1:26-31; John 10:10a), work to corrupt everything including human beings.
But God being the Maker is always steps ahead of them. Therefore, though He sealed off Eden, even making it unknown to humans, He still made provision for enjoying life as it was intended to be in Eden. He provided a power, Supernatural Power in a Person, who is both Man and God – Jesus Christ. This Power works in any and everyone who submits to Him as Lord and Saviour, achieving for them “… superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams].”
In addition to this Power, God also personally ensures that the people who have returned to Him through Jesus Christ are positioned to be able to live in this overflow. He does this in many ways, which includes the transforming power of His word as well as the pruning and cleansing force of difficulties and challenges (John 15:2-8; 17:17). This method of using pruning is among other things, to ensure that we are focussed more on the Giver (God) and not the gift; and do not behave like the people of old and forsake Him because we have become well fed (Psalm 81:8-12). This pruning is compulsory for all who belong to Him; and it is not just a one-off event just like we do not tend our gardens only once and expect that it will continue to yield us beauty. No, it is done every time He considers that like a garden, we are becoming overgrown with the dirt of this corrupt world. Yes, it is compulsory and done out of love! (Heb.12:5-6; Rom.13:5)
Perhaps you are at the point of this pruning at this point of your life; or you are wondering why overflow and beauty seem to elude you. Do a quick but thorough self-examination; do the needful, among which is repentance, and submit to the pruning, so that the Power can work for you this ‘superabundantly, far over and above all…’
Have an Overflowing, God-Focused and Blessed day, Amen.
Further Reading: Lam.3:22-23; Ps.81:10-11; Ezek. 28:2-8; Acts 7:42-43; 14:16-17; 2Thess.2:3-4.
Atsenuwa@ Passionate@Forthright
