Mary's Favorite - Pt 5

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. (Ephesians 1:15-21 ESV).

Now Paul takes up the subject of our “riches of his glorious inheritance” (v. 18). We are going to take up this topic in greater detail in other devotionals However, it can be said for now that these “riches” go beyond mere material possessions. Here are a few things we should consider: 1. First, He has given us his kindness and patience (cf. Romans 2:4). It cannot be said or sung enough that the kindness of God has been expressed to us in ways that cannot be fully understood until this journey is done. There are times when this show of kindness is subtle like a gentle rain; and, at other times it is nothing short of miraculous. I have found it is easier to hear the “whisper” of God when we become intentional about finding His voice in all the events and circumstances of life. 2. Second, He has given us the riches of his wisdom (cf. Romans 11:13). Can we ever really measure the value of our access to the wisdom of God through the Scripture? All of the great questions of life find their answers within the writings of the Bible. In my experience of counseling I often find it important to physically use the Bible. I often open it and read from it rather than quoting it. There is something wonderful about seeing it in print and in our language. Today we take that privilege for granted too much of the time. 3. Third, He has given us his mercy (cf. Ephesians 2:4). We’ll see more later as we explore the great depth of the mercy of God. For now we should remember that it was not justice that God meted out to us, but mercy. Jesus faced and satisfied the justice of God by taking the wrath of every sin of every man on himself in the cross. Justice would have only brought our death; His mercy brought us life through Jesus’ death.