God is Able

I’m burdened by a family situation.

Despite all my pleading and cajoling, my prayer has not been answered.

I think God doesn’t care.

Or He is not going to answer this request.

Or worse, God is not able.

I listen to others and think their God is able but my God is not.

Yes, this niggling notion gnaws at my faith. God must not be able to stop the situation or He would have already.

I’m distraught. I’m frustrated. I’m mad at God’s inaction.

Why is He not answering my prayers? What have I done wrong? Did I not pray long enough, hard enough or the right way?

Then I throw a question back on Him. Are you not able, Lord?

Tuesday morning, however, I read Daniel 3:16-18 in my quiet time.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able (emphasis mine) to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. (ESV)

I paused at “our God whom we serve is able” and let it soak in.

God is able.

I’m reminded that God split the sea, fed a multitude with five loaves and two fish, and yes, delivered three men from a fiery furnace. I needed to re-focus on my God who is able to do much more than I can possibly think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

He is able to deliver. Raise the dead. Redeem a marriage. Save the lost. Heal the sick. Transform a life. Provide money. Answer my prayer.

I looked up more verses.

And God is able (emphasis mine) to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV

Consequently, he is able (emphasis mine) to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 ESV

Now to him who is able (emphasis mine) to do far more abundantly than all that we as or think, according to the power at work within us. Ephesians 3:20 ESV

God’s Word sprouted wings to my faith. Was the family situation resolved after this prayer time? Nope. But the scriptures reminded me that God is still in the business of intervening in lives.

Friends, we cannot lose sight of who God is. God is able. Say it out loud: God is able. It’s the irrevocable, immutable truth. We need to remind ourselves. I need to remind myself of this truth until it is firmly rooted in my being.

If God in His sovereignty says no to my prayer, I want to be like Daniel’s friends; “But if not,” I will still serve God.

Until then, I’m believing God is able.

Anyone else ever felt like God was not able? I’d love to hear your thoughts.