Hi Ladies,
I hope that last week’s focus has made you more mindful of both our great need for and access to Spirit-filled wisdom as we seek to abide in Him. This week, we are just going to look at the big-picture goal of Paul's requests before looking at each one more in depth.
In the bold section below, Paul prays that this Spirit-filled wisdom would result in knowing three specific things. Read the passage again:
“For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know
what is the hope to which he has called you,
what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe,
according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.”
Eph. 1:15-23
Paul wants the Ephesians - and now us - to know some specific things. But the word for
know here is not merely a
knowing about. It implies
understanding. And as we saw last week, this understanding comes only from having Spirit-opened hearts to see. Paul wants us to really understand and perceive the truth of these things:
1) the hope to which GOD has called US
2) the riches of the glory of GOD’S glorious inheritance in the SAINTS
3) the immeasurable greatness of GOD’S power toward US who believe
Notice they all begin with God! Remember,
our view of God is the most important thing about us, because it affects how we view
everything else, especially ourselves. But we must keep these views in the right order. Who we are and what we have are
only because of who He is and what He has given us!
- Do you define yourself in light of Christ?
- Do you view your possessions, both material and immaterial, in light of Christ?
If your answer to these questions is yes, praise Him for this gift! And keep praying. If Paul kept praying for it, we should too.
If your honest answer to either of these questions is no, ask the Lord to show you why that might be. Go back to that first part of the prayer… Father, enlighten the eyes of my heart! Enable me by Your Spirit to see things in light of who You are and what You have done for me.
Would you also pray this for one another this week?
And if you are struggling to see this way, to believe this way,
would you reach out to me or another sister in this family? God has gifted us to one another to help us in the journey. Let’s not neglect that gift. ❤️🙏🏼
