Fall 1994

Exceedingly Abundantly ... Above
Pauline Gustafson

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the
power that works in us" Eph 3:20.

Our God is marvelously extravagant! He knows no lack, no shortage, no limitation. He is His own resource, with supplies which can never be exhausted.

Consider creation: Vast endless reaches of heavenly bodies, rich deposits of precious ores buried within our earth home; seas filled with living creatures for our use.

From our perspective, we cry, "Why so many mountains? Why so many desert sands? Or so many rivers running into so many seas? Are the seas truly able to hold it all?"

It is only as we enter the spiritual realm that we begin to grasp the infinite riches of God. Who can measure the unfathomable love which sent Jesus to the Cross in our place? Is there a scale which can weigh His abounding grace? Who can determine the value of abundant eternal life? What price could be paid to gain peace, the peace which passes comprehension?

Victory, freedom, triumph: No price tag can ever be fixed, no coin valuable enough to exchange; these are beyond our reach. The essence of salvation in Jesus is stated thus:

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He
become poor, that you through His poverty might
become rich" II Cor 8:9.

Lord Jesus, I exchange my poverty for Your riches. Forgive me for living spiritually on a poverty level. Cleanse me of unbelief and inhibition and intimidation. By faith I step out into Your abundance, Your surpassing riches which You have lavished upon me. May I never again be guilty of narrow vision. I will seek largely; pray largely, believe and receive largely. Amen.