“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” — Ephesians 3:20
One of the greatest dangers in the Christian life is not unbelief in God’s existence, but unbelief in God’s ability.
We believe God can save souls, forgive sins, and answer prayers. Yet many of us quietly place limits on what we think He can do in our lives, our families, our churches, and our world.
We pray small prayers because we expect small answers.
We dream small dreams because we have forgotten how great God is.
The God Who Exceeds Expectations
Throughout Scripture, God consistently does more than people expect.
Abraham and Sarah were too old to have children. God gave them Isaac.
Moses felt incapable of leadership. God used him to deliver a nation.
A shepherd boy named David became a king.
A teenage girl named Mary gave birth to the Messiah.
A handful of loaves and fish fed thousands.
A crucified Savior rose from the dead.
Again and again, God shattered human limitations.
The Bible is filled with stories of people who discovered that God’s power is far greater than their imagination.
We Often See Our Problems Through Human Eyes
When the twelve spies entered the Promised Land, ten returned with a negative report.
They saw giants.
They saw fortified cities.
They saw obstacles.
Joshua and Caleb saw the same things, but they also saw God.
The difference wasn’t the size of the challenge. It was the size of their view of God.
Many of us spend too much time looking at our problems and too little time looking at the Lord.
When we focus on our limitations, fear grows.
When we focus on God’s greatness, faith grows.
Don’t Put God in a Box
Sometimes we unknowingly create a box and place God inside it.
We think:
- God can work in other people, but not me.
- God can revive other churches, but not ours.
- God can provide for others, but not for us.
- God can heal others, but not my situation.
- God can use younger people, but my best years are behind me.
Yet Scripture repeatedly reminds us that God is not restricted by age, resources, circumstances, or human weakness.
In fact, He often chooses impossible situations so that His glory becomes unmistakable.
The Older I Get, The Bigger God Becomes
One of the joys of walking with God for many decades is seeing His faithfulness over and over again.
Many believers can testify:
“I didn’t know how God would provide, but He did.”
“I didn’t know how God could restore that relationship, but He did.”
“I didn’t know how God could open that door, but He did.”
Life teaches us that God specializes in doing what we cannot do ourselves.
The longer we walk with Him, the more confidence we gain in His character and His power.
Pray Bigger Prayers
What would happen if we started praying prayers that required God to intervene?
Not selfish prayers for comfort or success, but kingdom prayers.
Prayers for:
- Family members to come to Christ.
- Spiritual revival in our churches.
- A fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
- Opportunities to influence the next generation.
- Strength to finish our race well.
- Nations to hear the Gospel.
God is not intimidated by bold faith.
In fact, many of His greatest works began with someone who dared to believe Him for more.
Trust God’s Timing
Not limiting God doesn’t mean demanding that He work according to our schedule.
God’s ways are higher than our ways.
His timing is often different from ours.
Sometimes His answer is immediate.
Sometimes it takes years.
Sometimes His answer looks completely different than what we expected.
Faith is not believing God will do exactly what we want. Faith is believing He will do what is best.
What Are You Limiting God About?
Perhaps you’ve given up on a dream.
Perhaps you’ve stopped praying for a prodigal child.
Perhaps you’ve accepted spiritual stagnation in your church.
Perhaps you’ve concluded that your most fruitful years are behind you.
Maybe it’s time to look again at the God who parted seas, raised the dead, and transformed ordinary people into world changers.
He has not changed.
His power has not diminished.
His promises remain true.
Final Thoughts
The greatest limitation on God’s work is often not His willingness, but our expectation.
Let’s refuse to shrink God down to the size of our experience.
Let’s believe Him for great things.
Let’s pray bold prayers.
Let’s trust Him in impossible situations.
Let’s expect Him to do what only He can do.
After all, we serve the God who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.
So don’t limit God.
You may discover that He has been waiting for you to believe Him for more.
