Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

We sang “Honey in the Rock” on Sunday, and it got me thinking about how God created us for more than just getting by in life or having just enough for our needs. He desires abundance for us so we can be a blessing to others. When God planned your life, He calculated everything you needed and designed abundance for you. He’s lined up the promotion, the right people, and His favor. There will be times when you see God work miraculously in your life, times when God’s blessings will come looking for you when you least expect it.

Sometimes, people try to convince us that we’re not supposed to be blessed, but one of the names for God is “El Shaddai,” which means “More than enough.” If God wanted you to get by and have just enough, why would His name be “More than enough?” Don’t let people talk you out of the overflow that belongs to you. “Well, Jeff, I’m just grateful to get by.” Yes, be grateful, but don’t stop there. “Lord, thank you for being El Shaddai, the God of more than enough. Thank you, that overflow is headed my way.”

When the Israelites were in the desert, they complained bitterly to Moses that they were sick of manna and wanted meat to eat. There were no grocery stores or Uber Eats to feed the two million people. There wasn’t even a Dollar General out there. From a logical perspective, Moses stated it was way beyond impossible, but God is not limited by what limits us. God shifted the winds, and millions of quail flew into their camp, enough meat for a month in the middle of the desert.

If you take the limits off God, He’ll move in ways you’ve never even dreamed of. Blessings and the right people will chase you down. Don’t do as Moses did and tell God why you can’t be blessed, get well, or accomplish your dream. Have a new perspective and say, “God, it may seem impossible, but You can do the impossible.”

God shifted the winds and caused millions of quail to enter their camp. Scripture says quail flew three feet off the ground for miles in every direction. The Israelites gathered them up all day and all night, and no one had less than 50 bushels of quail. One moment they were in lack, struggling, and showing no sign of increase. The next moment, they were in abundance, having more than enough.

What’s interesting is that quail doesn’t typically fly that far from water. They usually wouldn’t be out in the desert, but God shifted the winds, and suddenly, the quail appeared. You may not see how you could ever come into abundance or how you could ever have more than enough, but all God has to do is shift the winds, bring the right people to be good to you, and make the contract, the promotion, or the scholarship come your way.

Even when circumstances seem impossible, remember that God’s power is unlimited. He is about to shift things in your favor, open doors, and guide you to the right place at the right time. A commentary I read said a statistician calculated that 105 million quail entered their camp that day. Instead of providing just a few quail for each person, God gave them more than enough. When you honor God, His blessings will chase you down. You don’t have to look for the blessing because when you keep God first, His blessings will find you.

In Luke chapter 5, we read about Peter’s encounter with the God of more than enough. He had been fishing all night, working hard and doing his best, but he caught nothing. Early the following day, while cleaning his net on the shore, Jesus approached and asked to borrow his boat. Although Peter had never met Jesus, he agreed. Jesus used the boat to teach the people at the shore. After finishing, he instructed Peter to return to the water, promising that he would catch a great haul of fish. Despite being a professional fisherman and knowing the correct times to fish (not during the day as Jesus had just instructed), Peter was initially hesitant as he had already been out all night and had caught nothing. However, he eventually said, “Jesus, at your word, I’ll go back out.”

In verse 6, Peter threw out his net and caught so many fish that it began to break. He had to call another boat to help gather up the fish. There were so many fish that both boats began to sink, and they barely made it back to shore. Although Peter had caught fish many times before, this was the first time his nets had broken, and he had to call on another boat for help. We’ve all experienced God’s goodness before, seen Him open doors and turn situations around. But there’s more to come. God has blessings in store for you that will be beyond what you can handle on your own – favor and increase that you weren’t prepared for.

Nothing seemed to indicate that Peter was about to experience abundant blessings. His circumstances suggested the exact opposite. But I want to encourage you that when things look their worst and there are no signs of improvement, you could be on the verge of abundance and close to receiving a breakthrough blessing.

Jesus said to Peter, “Just because it didn’t happen last night doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen this morning. Just because it didn’t happen last year doesn’t mean it will not happen this year.” Maybe you’re in a situation like Peter’s: you’ve worked hard, been faithful, and done your best, but you’ve caught nothing. Your time is coming. There were no fish last time, but God controls the fish; He will lead the fish to you.

Scripture says, “Peter was astonished at the number of fish they caught.” He was amazed because he had never seen such a large catch. God is going to do things in your life that will astonish you. Doors will open that you never dreamed would open. He will put you in positions of influence and leadership you’ve never imagined. He will give you resources, funds, and opportunities you’ve never dreamed of. God’s idea of abundance is not just a little more of what you have now; it’s a new dimension, something unprecedented that you’ve never fathomed.

Psalm 65 says, “God will crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard places will overflow with abundance.” This overflow isn’t just to help you reach your dreams or go further; you will also see overflow in the hard places. Maybe you’re facing an illness, going through treatment, or raising a challenging child – but that won’t defeat you. Instead, you will overflow with strength, healing, and victory. Perhaps you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or fear – but that isn’t your destiny, and it doesn’t define you. You’re about to overflow with joy, peace, and favor. In the hard places, God promised that you won’t lack anything you need. You’re going to have plenty of grace, joy, and favor.

Amos 9 says, “The day is coming when everything barren and fruitless will overflow with blessings.” This passage was written many years ago, and I don’t believe the day is coming; I believe the day is here. Whatever is lacking in your life, whatever area you’ve been struggling in, God is saying, “You’re about to overflow with blessings, good health, joy, and financial abundance. You are moving from lack to abundance.”

Malachi says that when you honor God, He will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing you cannot contain. This means that God will overflow you with blessings. Your job, salary, or family history do not limit Him. He knows how to increase you—even if you don’t see how it can happen. All you have to do is believe. I hope that speaks to you, and I pray you have a blessed day!