Back to Ephesians

A while back I had started a devotional on Ephesians 1:17-19 and had said the next few posts would be about that. Well...I got waylaid. So, back to Ephesians we go.

Ephesians 1:17-19

¹⁷I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, ¹⁸so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, ¹⁹and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.

Once again, this passages is bookended with God. It begins with "I pray...that...God." It ends with "...his great power." And in between, it's all about knowing him.

In verse 17b, "...come to know him." What specifically do we learn about God?

1. hope-"...the hope to which he has called you" v 18.
2. riches-"what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints" v 18b.
3. great power-"what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe" v 19a.

Regarding number one-hope. This is not some vague hope, "Oh I hope so..." We are called to HOPE. "The hope to which he has called you." This is very personal hope.

"his glorious inheritance among the saints." We are God's treasure! In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Mt 6:21). To know God's great care, tenderness, love and concern for us, his treasure, is an awesome thing. It changes our lives.

"great power" He gives us everything we need to live a life that pleases him. "...the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe."

God does the work..."according to the working of his great power" v 19b. And we get to participate with God in his great work. Alleluia!