Sometimes I lay in bed and cry my heart out. I lay there, needing to go to sleep, but overwhelmed with the desire for more.
I plead with God for more of His mercy, more of His blessing, more of His exceeding abundance in my life. I want more of what He has in store for me, those things that are wondrously beyond my imagination. I want more of what only He can give.
And you know what?
If we ask Him for more, He will answer. He will bestow great blessings on us. He will shower us with His amazing goodness and loving-kindness. He will overwhelm us with His incomprehensible peace.
But first, we have to ask for it:
“Call to me and I will answer you,
and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
Jeremiah 33:3
It takes humility. We must realize our need for Him, admit that we are helpless in ourselves. Admit that we are weak. We must bow before Him and cry out for His divine power.
It takes faith. We must believe that He will do amazing things. We must trust that whatever He does (or doesn’t do) is absolutely perfect for us. He rewards that kind of faith. He blesses those who call on Him, believing that God rewards those who go to Him in faith.
It takes passion. We must admit our need, believe that God will answer in His perfect way – and keep on asking until we see His answer! He doesn’t want a lukewarm, shrug-your-shoulders kind of request: He wants your impassioned heart-tears, your soul-so-full it throbs with feeling. He wants you to ask, and ask again, until you hear Him answer.
And when we do that? When we throw our cares at His feet, begging Him to work, trusting that He will do so?
He answers.
Because He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, by the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us.
Because His riches are glorious, and immeasurable, and unsearchable. And we are His heirs, entitled to receive of those riches.
Because He is King over all that has been created; He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and the wealth in every mine.
But first we must call.
If we call, He will answer. If we cry out for Him to work, He will do amazing things. Things beyond our comprehension.
So what mighty works are you waiting for God to do? What great things are you craving for your life? Call on Him!
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think,
according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21
By Elizabeth Johnson, DogFur and Dandelions
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It’s so easy for me to just want and not ask. Thanks for the reminder that He is able to do abundantly more than what I often even ask for.
Yes, me too! How (sadly) easy it is for us to forget to ask the One who can do everything! But when we do… wow!
Beautiful words, Elizabeth! I love every bit of this post!
Thanks Jacqui! You’re sweet 🙂
Powerful words from Jeremiah 33:3!
The Lord has been blessing me personally through many of your posts. My husband recently lost his job after teaching for 31 years. He’s really missing getting ready for school at this time. I know the Lord will provide abundantly for us, when we ask Him. He’s got something great in store for him; we’re patiently waiting on Him to show us what that is!
Marsha, so sorry to hear what you guys have been dealing with – but you’re right, God has something beyond amazing in store for you all! And His perfect timing is part of that!
This is not the first place that verse has shown up for me this week. It’s encouraging and challenging both at the same time. Blessings :o)
Thanks Lizzy!
Great post! Loved it! I was nodding my head as your words encouraged me to keep pouring my heart out because it matters! Thank you for your genuineness and camaraderie. It’s just the most encouraging to hear of someone honestly trusting God’s Truth!
Thank you, Shandra! Keep pouring your heart out to your Father – He’s waiting for it!
I often ask but forget to wait with expectancy that He wants to give me more, like you said! Wonderful reminder of God’s desire to connect with us!
I like that word – expectancy. How often we neglect it. Thanks, Sarah!
Elizabeth,
In the past I have cried out to Him for answers & had to learn to patiently wait. The answer did finally come–it was both a blessing & unhappy event at the same time. Mom had dementia & sundowners & was on complete bed rest for almost 2 years. Praise God he took her almost 3 years ago this Sunday.
Now I’m again waiting an answer for my job situation. I like the people I work with–would like to be given more responsibility for patients & working in a Nursing clinic with NPs-that is hard as a CMA (medical assistant).
I’ll keep praying, asking & waiting patiently–sort of!
It is certainly hard to be patient, not knowing when we’ll see that answer we’re praying for – but I think that waiting is part of God’s amazing blessing, for we can learn so much through it. At least we can rest in the fact that His answer, whenever we see it, is ALWAYS always perfect!
Oh Elizabeth, this ministered to me today! Thank you so much!
Aw, thanks Lisa-Jo!
amazing and awesome words. thank you for ministering to my heart today. this is just confirming all God is speaking to me!
Blessings to you today !
So glad to hear it spoke to you! Praise God!
And sometimes the more isn’t always how we think it should look 🙂
Yes! It often has me scratching me head and back on my knees too!
Yes, so true!!
Thank you Elizabeth for every word! It reminded me of when I first realized how much He wants fellowship with us. The ONE who made it all, who to my mind would not have need or want of anything– wants me? –To talk to Him and walk beside Him, even though He knows my thoughts before I do??– What an awesome God we love and surprisingly loves us more than we can even imagine. Yes! I want more of HIM. I’m calling on Him right now. He is good and faithful to answer me (us) in beautiful ways. I want to rediscover my Lord every day–in every way.
I love your comment, Sandy! Yes, the great Creator of the universe wants to find pleasure in US! Amazing, isn’t it?
I like this post, and we can call on Him to give our friends and families that abundance too. 🙂
That’s a great point, Sarah!
I was reminded of this yesterday by a therapist that was in my home for my son yesterday. Such an expected and wonderful gift of encouragement!
When overwhelmed I so easily fall into my default “I can” posture that ultimately leaves me in crumbles. It’s starting the day with “He can, and will – as He wills.” that will lead me to any real progress!
We must ask…I often get so caught up in trying to fix my own problems, that I fail to go to the source of all wisdom and simply ask. Thank you for the reminder. Great post, Elizabeth!
Praying for deliverance for a loved one and standing on the amazing promises of our GREAT ALMIGHTY GOD! When we cry out to Him, He hears us and is oh so faithful! Thank you!
Thank you for your words. I am reading them after a very long and hard day. I found out that after a very financially rocky summer where I have tentatively regained some footing that I am losing my job Sept. 30.
I am trusting that God will continue to watch out for me like he did this summer, but I have to admit that today has come as a blow. I keep reminding myself that when I am weak He is strong.
Thank you for reminding my that all I need to do is to ask Him for what I need.
Thank you for sharing this.
Its encourging to write down our desires tohelp us to stay focused on the task at hand.
Habakkuk 2:2-3 Then the Lord answered me and said,“ RECORD THE VISION And inscribe it on tablets, That the one who reads it may run. “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; FOR IT WILL CERTAINLY COME, IT WILL NOT DELAY.
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Thanks so much for your words of wisdom….
amazingly at how He works………………………..its all i live on (asking).