इफिसियों 3:20

Nor does the apostle say, "Above all that we can ask or think," as the verse is sometimes wrongly quoted. One has said, "There is a great difference between what we do ask and think, and what we can ask and think. There is no limit to what we may ask." Nor can we limit what God can do in the saints for their blessing and His glory.

The extent of our asking, even the apostle has to say, comes very far short of what He is able to do (His willingness is not in question), and perhaps we think of greater things than we ever ask, but whatever we ask, or whatever we think, there is One able to do far exceedingly above all.

Nor is He speaking only of power that works for us, but power which works in us. This power is certainly to be realized and enjoyed in present experience, though the full blessedness of it will require eternity for its display.

It is not doing things for us, however true that may be, but here it is doing a work in us. The apostle is not speaking of our circumstances and daily needs and all that His mercy can do for us; he is speaking of that vast universe of blessing into which He can lead our souls by a work in us.

Thus we get the internal competency, verses 16, 17 — the intermediate sphere and display, verse 18, and beginning of 19 — leading us to the whole fulness of God in itself. The Apostle then desires that, according to His power that works in us, this same strength, the effect may be produced — Glory to Him in the Church throughout all ages.

The new order of things tells of power at every turn, the power of God quickening, raising us up, seating us in heavenly places in Christ, our Portion and Object, and "working in us." (Ephesians 3:20.) That is to say, power surrounds us on every hand, but power equally works in us for the realization of the enjoyment of that for which power has laid hold of us.

People generally separate the last verses, but they go together; it is according to the power that worketh in us, that there will be glory to Him in the church by Christ Jesus.

You will observe that it is in "the church" or assembly — not the world. That will come some day under the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ; but in the present condition of things it is in the church... Surely this is our desire — to give glory to God.

It is surely meet that He who has displayed His wisdom and grace in calling the Church should throughout eternity derive glory from it. Such is the apostle's desire, and such should be the desire of every believer brought into this marvellous place. It will be fulfilled in the ages to come; but just in proportion as our hearts enter into the spirit of this prayer will it be their desire that, as far as may be, it should be fulfilled now.

What assurance and what encouragement to pray. Let us ask much in spiritual things and He will do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.