“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know …His INCOMPARABLY great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19)
The apostle Paul prayed that every believer would KNOW that God’s power is greater than every difficulty that can be in our lives. Now, this doesn’t mean that God will take every difficulty away, or that God will give us anything that we want. We might ask God to let us be president of the United States. He could do that if that was His will. In most cases, it is not. He would not do this. What it does mean, is that He can help us in every circumstance no matter how difficult it seems. Paul had a painful thorn that bothered him. He prayed for God to take it away. God answered “NO”. God said, “My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness.” In other words God was saying, “I will give you the grace, or strength to handle the pain.” Many Christians experience great difficulties in life, some even involving great pain. We ask God to take it away, and nothing happens. Sometimes we even think that God doesn’t care or love us. We easily forget that in His love, He wants to make us stronger so that he can bless and use us in greater ways.
When we lived in Austin, Texas, there was a lady in our church who was a paraplegic. We were doing an evangelistic outreach in our neighborhood. This sister wanted badly to take part in this, but she couldn’t leave her home unless someone carried her. She prayed for God to show her how she could witness to her neighbors. She obtained telephone directory of the people in each block and began calling each one to get acquainted. Later, she asked each one how she might pray for them. She learned all of their names and birthdays and she called them every week. Gradually each neighbor began to visit her to get acquainted and she would share the gospel with them. Over a year, more than 40 had received Christ as Savior.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10)