Pastor John D Jakes

Paul tells the Ephesians this –

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about 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 every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. – Ephesians 1:18-21

For what does Paul pray? He prays for three things.

1. That they would know the hope of His calling. In other words, that we would know with confidence that believing in Jesus does eternally save us.

2. That they would know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. To paraphrase: That they would know of how worthy and beautiful God sees them as He receives them as His own.

AND

3. That they would know the surpassing power working in those who believe. What does this power do? This power gives us the ability to follow God in faithfulness and find victory over our imperfections and struggles.

Then Paul tells them one more thing. It is one thing to say that God is with us. It is another to understand what that really means. When Paul tells the church in Ephesus for what he was praying, he reveals what ‘God with us’ means. It isn’t just a slogan or a platitude. It comes with power behind it. The power that comes with God’s presence is the power that, “raised Him [Jesus] from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”

You read that right. The power that raised our Lord Jesus from the dead is the power that tells us we are saved. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that makes you and I beautiful to God. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that works within us so that we can “will and work according to His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)

If I wonder… will God save me?  The power that raised Jesus declares, “Yes!”

If I wonder… does God really cherish me? The power that raised Jesus declares, “Yes!”

If I wonder… can I have victory in the midst of the struggles of my life? The power that raised Jesus declares, “Yes!”

The resurrection is an amazing exercise of God’s power. However, perhaps we hadn’t realized how much that power was promised to us every day. Which of the above do you need every day? Do you need to know that you are secure in God’s promises? Do you need to know your worth to God? Do you need to know that God will overcome the limitations and struggles in your life?

Maybe you aren’t like me, but I need those things every day. Understanding that these are the promises and assurances of God gives me great confidence. It overwhelms my comprehension of God’s attention toward me. It makes me say with King David,

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

Psalm 139:17-18

Something to think about,

Pastor John