“Is there a limit to My power?’
Let’s face it, if God were to ask me this question, I would quickly respond, “NO!”. Yet how often I have lived, and prayed, as if His power had limits. It’s as if I said, “Well, He can do this, but not so sure on this…”.
Our doubts lie in a limited view of God, not of His power for God is omnipotent, which actually means – there is not a single thing He cannot do or which is outside of His power. To put it another way … NOTHING can limit His work in our lives.
Again I am reminded of the Israelites …
In Numbers 11, we find God promising to provide meat to the people, who had been complaining of their limited menu. He tells them He will provide so much meat (aka, quail), they will get sick of it, even to the point of gagging.
Moses, in response, points out to God there are 600,000 soldiers and even if they butchered all their herds, there would not be enough meat for them all. Basically, Moses had developed a vision problem.
Moses looked at what was available rather than looking at God’s ability.
And I do the same thing at times. But I often remember the lesson taught to me by my dear friend Audrey, an older woman in my small group …
Audrey was diagnosed with advanced stage 4 cancer, given approximately 6 months to live. It was a prognosis that sent family and friends reeling.
Treatments began and Audrey endured both the side effects and multiple hospital stays. There were periods in which she enjoyed great quality of life, seeming to beat the disease. And about two and a half years passed from the time of diagnosis and receiving the news of remaining time.
I visited Audrey often. Sometimes several times a day. They were difficult and sweet times. We laughed and cried together. We shared many a hospital lunch and garden tomatoes with a hidden salt shaker in her hospital nightstand drawer. There was not a single time, not once, where just as I got to the door of her room to leave, I did not hear her call out my name. And each time, I would turn to see her, with her quirky smile, and she would say,
“Remember, He is able!”
Countless times, we said it together. Countless rides home with tears streaming as I prayed for God to heal my friend. I always thought she was reminding herself of God’s ability.
It was the day of her last breath when I went to visit. She was unconscious and I read to her from the Psalms. I knew I would not see her again until we met on the other side of life. It was then, I realized, Audrey was not reminding herself. She already knew that truth. She knew whether He healed her on this side of eternity or the other, He was able and one day, she would be whole.
No, she was saying it so I would remember. She was making certain I heard it enough times so I would not waver or lose faith. Mark Batterson, in his book Circle Maker, says it this way:
“With God, it’s never an issue of ‘Can He?” It’s only a question of ‘Will He?’ And while you don’t always know if He will, you know He can. And because you know He can, you can pray with holy confidence.” (page 75)
That Audrey was one smart woman who rested in the confidence her God was able. And she made sure I learned that lesson as well.
We can pray with holy confidence.
He is able.
This is Day 20 of 31 Days Of Going In Circles. You can find the entire series here .
Today I am joining … Playdates With God and Unforced Rhythms and Blessed but Stressed and Salt & Light and Mon. Musings and Create With Joy and Making Your Home Sing and Good Morning Mon. and Motivation Mon .
What a blessing to have known such an amazing woman! You were given a gift with all she taught you and thank you for sharing her story and how we need to open our eyes to the whole picture of God’s ability in our lives! Beautiful! Hugs and prayers my friend!
She truly was a blessing which has lived on in my heart. And to think, our lives can have the same lasting impact on those around us, Mary. May it be so, Lord!
Sometimes, I think something is too small to come to God about…and yet, how many small blessings have I experienced in my life? Countless! He delights in working in the big and small, even if I forget that or struggle to believe it. He truly can do anything…big or small!
Jen, your comment brought to mind the many things I thought were small blessings & ended up being much larger than I ever anticipated. May we come to Him with it all. Blessings!
Thank you for sharing this sweet testimony of one who trusted God. What a great encouragement to have holy confidence in His ability here and throughout eternity. Thank you for today’s reminder that God is wise and able.
Gratefully,
Renee
I am so glad I did share this. Renee, you make a powerful point – His ability extends further than we can even realize as it goes well into eternity. So grateful you shared here with me!
I’m so sorry you lost your friend–but so glad that her friendship and wise words helped you in your journey. We never know what lessons we’re leaving as part of our legacy (but we always pray that it’s the right ones!).
Anita, I would not have missed this journey with my friend for anything. It was all my gain. Truly. Praying we would leave an impacting legacy as well.
Your friend was very wise. We do often have a limited view of God. Thanks for the reminder that He is always able, and that he has no limits. This was a blessing to read today.
Lynnae, I am glad you were blessed. Audrey was a wise woman who kept her eyes fixed on her Lord. I have been blessed repeatedly by my memories. May you too always remember – “He is able!” Thank you for stopping here with me!
What an encouraging post! I love love love it!
Grateful you were encouraged. May your week be full of blessing!
What a beautiful and sweet writing about your mentor and friend. I hope I can pass on a legacy of faith and peace in such a meaningful way. There is a praise and worship song “He is Able” that I sang to my son when he was a baby. That song and “God Will Make a Way” were two I sang to him when we were unsure if we would be able to adopt him and those times were so hard and scary (we did!).
I cannot imagine the apprehension which filled that time of waiting. I know both songs & they are beautiful. I can’t help but wonder if as you sang to your son, you were not also singing to yourself. Much the way David addressed his soul in the Psalms 🙂 And I am so glad you shared the results – that you did adopt him! Thank you for sharing of the faithfulness of our God. So glad to have you share here!
What a beautiful post. Your friend left you with her strength.
And much more as well 🙂
OMG! This may be my most favorite post that I have read over the past 20 days or longer!!! I am so glad that your friend Audrey had you and that you had her during her last months on earth. And I am so grateful that you shared her story with us. He is able is something that I totally want to get; and meditate on; and live!!!!!
Larissa, you touched me so with your comment. I am glad the post spoke to you. I was most blessed to have Audrey in my life. May you hold onto, and always remember – “He is able!” So glad you stopped here & shared with me.
That’s to true, not to look at what is available, but to look to the one who provides. I need to remember that as my husband and I work through the dreaded budget tonight! Thanks for linking with Unforced Rhythms.
So many ways for us to apply this. He truly does provide all we need. Grateful you stopped & shared!
Thank you for sharing this very inspiring post on Good Morning Mondays, it has really given me a look to think about. Blessings
Terri – Grateful it gave you something to think about. Thank you for stopping here. May you have a wonderful weekend!