I would like to ask you to do something right now. Think of an area of need in your life, or maybe it’s just an area of desire. Now, imagine the best possible outcome for that situation. Consider the highest and fullest way in which that prayer could be answered. Think about it for a minute—whatever it is—and identify the greatest and best that you can dream to see happen.
All right. Whatever you were just pondering, I want to tell you: you are thinking too small. God is able to do so much more than you just envisioned!
While I was doing some studying and reading, I was forcefully struck by the phrase “much more” as it pertains to the things God declares He can do and will do in your life. In this blog series, I want to help you discover this amazing God of much more.
In the following lessons, as we dig deeper into God’s promises for your life, it is my prayer that you realize how precious you are to Him—and how He has so much more to offer you!
Here is a story of one of Israel’s kings. His name is Amaziah. He’s only 25 years old. At this time in Israel’s history, the kingdom had become divided. There was the southern nation of Judah, consisting of the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, and then there was the northern kingdom, now known as the nation of Israel—consisting of the other 10 tribes and keeping its capital in Samaria. Amaziah ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah, which remained relatively faithful to God.
But the northern kingdom of Israel had gone off the rails. They had rejected God and become idol worshipers. But that didn’t stop King Amaziah from trying to form an alliance with Israel. Early in his reign, he’s sizing up his forces—300,000 fighting men—when he decides that he needs to hire an additional 100,000 mercenaries from Israel.
Take a look at this in 2 Chronicles 25:6–9,
“He also hired one hundred thousand mighty men of valor from Israel for one hundred talents of silver. But a man of God came to him, saying, ‘O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the Lord is not with Israel—not with any of the children of Ephraim. But if you go, be gone! Be strong in battle! Even so, God shall make you fall before the enemy; for God has power to help and to overthrow.’ “Then Amaziah said to the man of God, ‘But what shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?’ And the man of God answered, ‘The Lord is able to give you much more than this.’”
I don’t think I could describe to you the number of times that verse has brought me comfort throughout the years.
King Amaziah made a bad choice, a bad investment. To carry on with the plans that he had would have been disastrous. But he was still worried about the investment he’d lost. He said, “Hey, what about the money? I’m going to lose a fortune here!”
The response? “The Lord is able to give you much more than this” (v. 9). A gentleman at our church had retired middle-aged, around sixty years old, and had done very well for himself. He and his wife were some of the most generous givers and always carried themselves with a great spirit. He loved the church, he loved me, and he was excited about Jesus. He was a godly giver and a true encourager.
One day as we were standing in the foyer, he said to me, “Pastor, I’ve invested in this overseas company.” “Well,” I said, “how much did you put in it?” And he said, “Well, basically, everything, but this seems a sure deal!” He put their entire nest egg, their entire future on the line…everything! Then, the company went belly up.
And at sixty years of age, he lost his entire retirement. He and his wife lost their home. They lost everything. But rather than giving in to despair, he put his trust in the God who is much more than enough. He hadn’t planned on doing it, but he went back to work and got a job. And it didn’t happen overnight, but you know what? Within just a few short years, he and his wife were some of the top givers in the church again.
And another thing happened, as well. His family—whom I had prayed for with him numerous times—all came to Christ, every one of them! All of his kids came to church, and they all got saved. Now, his whole family is serving God together. How great is that? About a decade later, he went home to be with Jesus. When he went home, he left his wife with a beautiful house that they owned. He left her completely set financially and left a legacy for his children and his children’s children because he knew the God who was more than enough. He knew the God who can and will do much more.
Maybe you’ve made some poor investments. Maybe you’ve made some poor choices, and you’re thinking, “What am I going to do?” And it just seems like your life is spiraling down on you: “I don’t have that many years left.” My friend, God is able to give you much more. Don’t give in to fear or despair.
God is not lacking in resource, favor, or fresh ideas. He can open doors for you that could never be opened through human effort.
I have another friend who was once very happy pastoring a small church. He had a good life going until his wife was unfaithful—and it was not just a one-time deal. She ended up divorcing him to be with another guy. My friend lost his wife, his church, his home … he lost everything. He was devastated; he was shattered. But, he put his chin up and decided that he was going to continue to serve God regardless of what happened to him.
He affirmed in his heart that God is good and that He is able to bring something beautiful out of the wreckage of our lives. Some years later, this friend of mine married a beautiful woman who loves God with all of her heart and loves my friend to pieces. Today, they are pastoring one of the largest, most influential churches in their city!
Everything that he had has been increased a hundredfold. It’s amazing the influence and the reach that they now have and how incredibly blessed his life is. He and I have talked numerous times, and he says, “Bayless, everything that I lost, God has given it back to me in spades. It’s come back in good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.”
The Lord is able to give you much more.
Maybe you had something and lost it: influence, finances, or a relationship. Take comfort—God knows all about your circumstances. It’s not a coincidence that you are reading this article. He is able to give you much more than you could ever imagine. Let us not limit our limitless God.
Think of a time in your life when you were struggling. Maybe you lost your job, maybe you were wrestling with your health or a rebellious child, or maybe you simply felt hopeless. Now that you look back, how did God show you He had much more planned for you?
Continued in part two.
