phesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
It is according to the measure of the power, which is at work within us that He does "exceedingly abundant above what we ask or think".
From our own observation and from the inference of this verse, it seems that not everyone experiences the " the exceeding abundant". Yahshua Himself experienced the fullest measure of the "exceeding abundant". The apostles (Yahshua's disciples) walking in His footsteps also demonstrated a fair measure. But there is a significant difference in the demonstration of that "power that worketh in us" compared to these Biblical examples. The power itself is the same, but the work done is not the same. It is like electricity in homes. All homes are supplied with the same potential power, but the electrical work done, varies from house to house. Some homes may not use their electricity at all, while others may only use 10-watt bulbs for lighting and can barely see. At the other end of spectrum however are those who use the maximum wattages of bulbs and have a well-lit house. Still on the subject of electricity, some may put the power to work in many electrical gadgets and appliances and get much work accomplished, while others may be content to use non-electric devices and get very little work done. Once again both types of people have the same power, yet each achieve a different level of production. The occupants of each house determine the use made of, or the work done by, the same electrical power. So too we can limit the output of spiritual power in our lives. Another illustration of the "power working in us" would be our nutritional (calorific) power. If it were possible to find a dozen persons with identical energy levels, we would still find a disparity in production levels from perhaps nil to excellent, depending on the extent to which their energy is channelled into productive avenues.
It is therefore apparent that it is not only the power we have that finally matters, but also the use made of it. This concept is repeated under many different guises throughout the Bible. In the parable of the talent the one who did not use what he had been given is cast into outer darkness. He thought he had done a good thing by merely preserving in a dormant state that which he had been given. But the master was angry that he had failed to put that power to work. The potential power in a seed will not be manifested unless it is planted (put to work). Yahshua put it another way when He said "Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more". Luke 12:48
Why Does Yahweh Invest His Power in us?
Psalms 106:8 Nevertheless he saved them for His name's sake that He might make His mighty power to be known.
Yahweh wants His inherent Almighty power to shine and work wonders in the entire world, that many who are 'blind' may see. But first we must put that power to work. Power that lays dormant is as good as no power. James 2:26 tells us: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead". We often admire the power that was displayed in Bible heroes without understanding one thing, and it is this: if those warriors did not put their trust in Yahweh to work, they would not have won such admiration throughout the ages. David without the confrontation with Goliath would have been just another ordinary cowardly Israelite. The Hebrew boys without the fiery furnace would not have convinced Nebuchadnezzar that their Mighty One could deliver. It was because Daniel was prepared to put His trust in Yahweh to work, even in a den of lions, that he is recorded among the faith warriors of the Bible.
The question to us is: "What have we done with the talent of time, of energy, of money, of Yahweh's power, of salvation, of our qualifications and skills, of our job or profession, of our influence......? Whatever we have been given, has been given to us so that we can use it and multiply it. If as in the parable we bury it, it will be just as if we never had it. If on the other hand we put it to good use, it will be multiplied and the "exceeding abundant" will be evident in our lives. Everything that Yahweh has given us is a power-packed seed capable of multiplying into countless seeds that we and others will see and know Yahweh's Almighty power is the same as it has always been and will ever be! We have that power within us but it is through no fault of the power that it is not used. When we put faith to work we are increasing our capacity to receive more. The more we put to work, the more we receive. The more we receive and put to work, the more will be added to us. The unending spiral of the "exceeding abundant" would have begun, and Yahweh's name and power would have been glorified in us! But we must start to use what we have from where we are at. Don't try raising the dead, when you have never exercised your faith in trusting Yahweh to cure a common cold! "According to your faith, be it unto you".
by Buel Hallpike
