His Exceeding Greatness and Power
True for every child of God is the assurance that God…
“…is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20)
Let that sink in for a moment. No matter what we ask of God, He is more than able, according to His will, to do for us more than we could possibly imagine. He is that powerful! Therefore, since we know that God will accomplish His good in our lives according to His eternal purpose (Rom. 8:28) we know, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).
The Scripture is packed full of first-hand testimonial records of God’s power being used. Is it any wonder that so many stood and said, “Stand up and bless the Lord your God forever and ever!”, “…our God, The great, the mighty, and awesome God” (Neh. 9:5, 32). We gain strength as we learn to “Trust in the Lord” with all our heart, and “lean not” on our own understanding (Prov. 3:5). The closer we are to God through His powerful word, the more we can rely on His great power to get us through trials of life such as job loss, hateful persecutions, a debilitating illness, or the loss of a loved one. Hope is rooted in trusting in the power of God, and hope is an integral part of living the Christian life.
God’s great power is directed toward believers–Paul gives us understanding of the power of God when he writes, “and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality[a] and [b]power and [c]might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1:19–21).
In verse 19 it wasn’t enough for Paul to say the “greatness” of His power. Paul added the word [huperballon] which is Greek for {to transcend, surpass, exceed, excel}. Paul adds that to modify the Greek word translated “greatness”, [megethos], which means {greatness or vastness}. Thus, the full idea of the expression [huperballon megethos] is that God possesses power beyond measure, a super-abounding or surpassing power high above and beyond any other, and is “more than enough.”
Why did Paul choose this combination of Greek words? Why use the word [huperballon] to modify the word [megethos] which is only used one time in all of the Bible? I believe Paul must have dug deep, meditated and searched his soul for the right words that would accurately reveal to us that God’s power is so much more and beyond any form of power we understand. The magnitude of His omnipotence, splendor, and glory is altogether beyond our finite ability to comprehend. For Paul to say that God’s power exceeds or surpasses everything—to say it is unimaginable power—is truly in itself an understatement. Think about this: God spoke the universe into existence, raised Jesus from the dead, and “…put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church” (Eph. 1:22). The same Lord speaking of the future descendants of David, said, “As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Me”, yet our Creator God, “…counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name” (Jer. 33:22; Psa. 147:4).
Just read Job chapters 38 through 40 and be amazed. Put yourself in Job’s place as you read verses 4 through 7. Imagine God said to you out of a whirlwind, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the [b]line upon it? 6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7). I hope you’re humbled by this, I know I am. Praise God!
How can we implement and incorporate this enormous power in our daily lives? How can we learn to rely on His power and not our own? First by making conscience effort to remember all the things that God has done: “Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! 5 Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth” (Psa. 105:4–5). Each and every time we read and meditate on every wonderful and amazing miracle recorded for us in the Bible we will be encouraged by His strength and ability. Reading over and over the record will ingrain in our spirit that He is more than able to help in our every need. Remember with me the words of Moses just before God’s power parted the Red Sea: “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation[b] of the Lord…14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold[c] your peace” (Exo. 14:13, 14). Remember how by the powerful hand of God Joshua was able to take the land of promise and defeat the armies (Josh. 11:16-23). Remember God’s angel, “shut the lions’ mouths” to save Daniel alive because of his faith (Dan. 6:22; Heb. 11:33).
The resurrection of Jesus certainly demonstrates His Exceeding Greatness and Power. This is the great hope of all believers, for Jesus said, “Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:19). Peter said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance [a]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3–4).
How do we involve God in our troubles? How do we lean on Him? We must put an axe to our minuscule power, and inability and hand over what overwhelms us to the One who can do all things (Matt. 19:26) and trust the Spirit who says, that God’s power is perfected in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). Are you hungry spiritually? Remember the disciples were overwhelmed, unable to figure out how to feed 5,000 hungry weekend people. But, when they turned to the Lord, with “five barley loaves and two small fish” no one went hungry (John 6:1-14). Joshua stood helpless before the walls of Jericho, but he learned to trust the Lord’s battle plan (Josh. 6; Heb. 11:30).
It is also imperative that constant prayer be a vital part of every saint’s day. We tune ourselves to be in harmony with God when we rely on the power of God in our prayers. “Your will be done” (Luke 11:2). Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8). These words of verse 8 show us that we need to be persistent, ever asking, seeking, and knocking. It was this kind of persistent prayer offered by the saints that preceded Peter’s miraculous release from prison (Acts 12:5-19). Remember Paul’s admonition to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).
Therefore, no matter what happens to us in this old sinful world, the faithful will always have His Exceeding Greatness and Power to help us and comfort with resolve in the knowledge that we are serving the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, Jesus, the resurrection and the life (Rev. 19:16; John 11:25). The same will grant to us an inheritance and sustain us now and through eternity. Remember, we “are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Pet. 5:1). Remember “A mighty Fortress is Our God” a hymn written by Martin Luther the Protestant Reformation; “The body they may kill; / God’s truth abideth still”. Not one thing that happens here can possibly outweigh what God has in store for us! (John 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 4:16-17).
I hope this article helps us to remember our great God, and His Exceeding Greatness and Power, and that it will enable us to let go of our own strength and take hold of His.
In Love
Dave Scarpino
“The Mighty One, God the Lord, Has spoken and called the earth From the rising of the sun to its going down.” (Psalm 50:1)