God's Infinite Providence

God can accomplish infinitely more than we ask or imagine because he is God; because there is nothing impossible to him; because he is very generous; because he delights in giving; because he wants to surprise us (Cf.Eph 3:20).  God is able to do all things “superabundantly above the greatest abundance.” There are many examples in the Bible where God gave far more than what was asked or desired.

The newly married couples ran out of wine in Cana (Cf. Jn 2:1-12). They were hugely embarrassed. Facing imminent disgrace Mary mother of Jesus asked for a miracle on their behalf. All they ever wanted was few bottles of wine to take care of their remaining guests. But Jesus turned water into wine-abundant wine.  Six stone jars, each holding twenty or thirty gallons of wine was readily available for the entertainment of the guests. The couples in their wildest imagination never expected to have such surplus. They received far more than they could ask or imagine.

A huge crowd was following Jesus who have not eaten possibly for days. They were tired and very hungry. They had neither the means nor the opportunity to buy food. All they wanted was some food- anything that would keep them going. But Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish. The hungry crowd ate to their utmost satisfaction. And there was left over of twelve baskets full (Cf. Matt 14:13-21)

God in his infinite generosity gives us far more that what we can ask or imagine. God’s blessings are countless; his favours are innumerable; his graces are abundant. His blessings are neither scarce nor sparse.  God lavishes on us everyday blessings that we did not ask for; that we dare not ask for; stupendous blessings that we cannot  even imagine. God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work (2Cor 9:8).

In our petitions we should never place a limit to what God can do for us.  Steven J. Cole says “God is not just able to do beyond what we ask, but abundantly beyond. But that is not enough, he is able to do far more abundantly beyond what we ask.” With exuberant favour of faith, let us be bold to ask anything.  Mathew Henry says “let us expect more, and ask for more, encouraged by what Christ has already done for our souls.” There is nothing that is too much to ask God. Ask and you shall receive (Matt 7:7).

We should never place limits in our imagination to what God can do for us. Adam Clark says “we can imagine good things to which it is impossible for us to give a name; we can go beyond the limits of all human descriptions; we can imagine more than even God has specified in his word; and can feel no bounds to our imagination of good, but impossibility and eternity.”

Although God can give more than we can ask or imagine, he gives only for his own glory, according to his will and for our good. Despite the fact that God has absolute power to do and give anything, he cannot give what contradicts his nature and contrary to his divine will. In the final analysis, God gives what he pleases to give, in his own way and at his own time. God gives what he wills, how he wills and when he wills.