“When we seek God’s will and act in obedience to him, we can be confident that he will do more than we can ask or imagine.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 19, 2026
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
One of my personal heroes is the real-life woman behind the wonderful tale told in The Sound of Music, Maria von Trapp. In her autobiography, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, she describes how first stepping out in faith to serve as tutor to a naval captain’s children led to the start of a whole new life she never expected (as said naval captain’s wife, for those unfamiliar with the film); how saying “no” to Hitler’s demands led to exile and struggle that, in turn, opened up tremendous doors of opportunity for the Trapp family; how purchasing a camp in the Vermont mountains and inviting families to come and learn to sing sacred music would leave a legacy of faith that far surpassed anyone’s expectations, and a dozen other anecdotes of faithful obedience rewarded with unexpected glory. Though each decision to seek the Lord and to follow him in obedience seemed at the time like just a simple next step, those steps converged into a life worthy of a Rogers and Hammerstein adaptation. Maria summarizes the life of faith beautifully in these words:
It will be very interesting one day to follow the pattern of our life as it is spread out like a beautiful tapestry. As long as we live here we see only the reverse side of the weaving, and very often the pattern, with its threads running wildly, doesn’t seem to make sense. Someday, however, we shall understand. In looking back over the years we can discover how a red thread goes through the pattern of our life: the Will of God. (Trapp, 1949, p.113)
When it comes to stepping out in obedience to Christ, we often think of counting the costs; and so we should, according to Christ himself (Luke 14:28). But what we cannot begin to calculate is the vastness of God’s blessings poured out, yes, on the lives of those who trust and obey him, but also overflowing into the lives of so many others. You may say “yes” to God in one small area of your life and never expect the way other areas of your life will become flooded with unexpected blessing. You may invest in one life and never know the ripple effect the seeds you sow will have across time and space. God’s Kingdom is built upon such small acts of obedience, all woven together in his beautiful tapestry. All he asks is that each of us takes the next faithful step.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, strengthen me to walk by faith and obedience, trusting that where you lead, you have good plans beyond my understanding or imagination. Help me always to take the next step in obedience to you. Amen.
Application
What is one next step of obedience God is leading you to take? Ask him to help you take it, and then to do more than you could ask or imagine in and through your faith. Be sure he will!
Related Reading
Genesis 12:2; 1 Kings 3:13; Isaiah 55:8-9; 2 Corinthians 9:8
Worship Resource
God is Able: More Than We Could Ask
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