Over-the-Top
By Elin Henderson
“That you may walk worthy of the Lord fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work…strengthened with all might according to His glorious power…”
Colossians 1:10-11 (NKJV)
By Elin Henderson
“That you may walk worthy of the Lord fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work…strengthened with all might according to His glorious power…”
Colossians 1:10-11 (NKJV)
Do you ever feel that God’s demands are “over-the-top”?
Unrealistic? Just plain too much? A careful study of the different commands and
challenges He sets out for us in Scripture reveals this concept even further.
Notice how many times He uses “all,” “every,” “always,” “everything.” “Go ye
into all
the world…preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
“Rejoice in the Lord always”
(Philippians 4:4). “Warn every man…teach every
man…present every man perfect” (Colossians
1:28).
Wow! Seems a little over the top to me! How about, “most men”? We can do that, right? How about “give thanks some of the time”? That isn’t too hard. But, all the time, all men? Come on, God, aren’t your expectations just a little too high?
Yes, the expectations are high, but lest we get discouraged, know that just as high and even higher are His all encompassing grace and strength. Look at how He speaks about what is available to us. “All power is given unto you…” (Matthew 28:18). “All wisdom…all might…according to His all glorious power” (Colossians 1:10). “Lo I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). “Everything you need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). “Now to Him who is able to do all that we could ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
God never gives us a task that He Himself has not already provided the strength, wisdom, might, power or abundance in advance to handle. If it were up to us, we’d have the right to be overwhelmed and over-the-top discouraged. In ourselves, we will never be able to muster up the strength (try as we may) and God never intended for us to do so. As always, He desires that we look to Him for strength for each moment of each day.
So, next time you get discouraged at the task ahead of you, or run across a challenge in Scripture that you think is just too much to handle, keep reading. You will always find that while the challenge is great, the provisions are greater in Him!
“For with Him all things are possible!” (Matthew 19:26).
GOING DEEPER:
1. What specific challenge or command has the Lord been speaking to your heart? What verses can you find that supply you with the strength in Him to do it?
FURTHER READING:
Look up the verses listed above.
Wow! Seems a little over the top to me! How about, “most men”? We can do that, right? How about “give thanks some of the time”? That isn’t too hard. But, all the time, all men? Come on, God, aren’t your expectations just a little too high?
Yes, the expectations are high, but lest we get discouraged, know that just as high and even higher are His all encompassing grace and strength. Look at how He speaks about what is available to us. “All power is given unto you…” (Matthew 28:18). “All wisdom…all might…according to His all glorious power” (Colossians 1:10). “Lo I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). “Everything you need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). “Now to Him who is able to do all that we could ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
God never gives us a task that He Himself has not already provided the strength, wisdom, might, power or abundance in advance to handle. If it were up to us, we’d have the right to be overwhelmed and over-the-top discouraged. In ourselves, we will never be able to muster up the strength (try as we may) and God never intended for us to do so. As always, He desires that we look to Him for strength for each moment of each day.
So, next time you get discouraged at the task ahead of you, or run across a challenge in Scripture that you think is just too much to handle, keep reading. You will always find that while the challenge is great, the provisions are greater in Him!
“For with Him all things are possible!” (Matthew 19:26).
GOING DEEPER:
1. What specific challenge or command has the Lord been speaking to your heart? What verses can you find that supply you with the strength in Him to do it?
FURTHER READING:
Look up the verses listed above.
Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a
registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes
in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to
eleven-year-old Callie and nine-year-old Elias.
