Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada; thanks for joining me for "Joni and Friends.”
You often hear me talk about my wheelchair, but hopefully every time I do, you hear a lot of “ability” whenever I say that word “disability.” Always look for what you are able to do; I like that word “able.” And there is no one more “able” than our wonderful God, right? In fact, the apostle Paul stated it best: "I know I have believed and am persuaded that He is able!"
I was curious about what the Bible has to say about God being able, and you’re going to be surprised at what I found. I discovered more than a few wonderful little verses that focus on God being able. They encouraged me so much and I just know these “able verses” will bolster your faith, too. So let’s look at them together: First, Ephesians chapter 3, verse 20 says that God “is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think.” Oh, friend, have no fear, God is able to do a lot more in your life, a lot more in your circumstances, than you imagine.
Another able verse? II Corinthians chapter 9, verse 8 says, “He is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” Well, there you have it. Have no doubt: God does not lack the ability to pour out extra grace—grace abounding—into your life. Other verses? “He is able to aid those who are tempted” and “He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him.”
And here’s a favorite of mine: Jude 24 says that God “is able to keep you from falling, from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.” That’s one I especially love. Because we think, we might say that we can’t help but fail in a certain situation; we think we have no choice other than to sin, but God has the ability to keep you from falling; and not just falling, but He’s able to keep you from sinning, from stumbling. Trust in Him, lean on Him, rely on Him, and He’ll make your feet steady and make your path sure. A few more able verses? God “is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that Day.” And best of all, “He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
Friend, maybe it’s because of my disability, but I can’t begin to tell you how these verses about God’s ability stir my soul, especially living in this wheelchair of mine, because there’s so much about me that I cannot do. I can’t walk or run, hold my husband’s hand, I cannot wash my own face; I can’t pick up a pencil or jog around the block; I cannot stand when they sing worship songs in church. There is a lot of dis-ability in my quadriplegia. And I guess that’s why these Bible verses about God being able His ability means so much to me. And because of my wheelchair, I am constantly reminded that if I am able to do anything at all, it is because my God is the capable One. He is the able one. He is more than willing to keep me from falling and He proves it every day by helping me to smile in this wheelchair. Please, don’t forget to stop by my radio page today when we are done here at joniandfriends.org and pick up your copy of the little booklet, “Where is God When Things go Wrong?” In closing, friend, Isaiah chapter 40 reminds me that I may not be able to walk or run, but with God, I am able to run and not be weary, walk and not grow faint. I can even soar on wings like eagles, and that’s more than I could ask or imagine.
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