EPHESIANS 3:16

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 

TO PONDER

I remember many years ago now that my wife (Danielle) travelled interstate and sat by her uncle’s bedside day and night (he was very much a father-figure to her during her younger years). She changed his bed-clothes and his bed linen when he was soiled, in his very last days, gave him cups with ice cubes to suck-on, and simply held his hand to be with him as he took his last earthly breath. I never imagined that she would be strong enough to do this, and she thought the same, but she wanted to be there for her Aunty, if nothing else. To this day, Danielle still proclaims that God gave her the inner-strength to ably manage the ordeal that she was confronted with. 

As humans, we all understand the importance of our body’s physical strength, and the role that being physically strong plays in our daily lives. However, the physical state of our inner-being is even more important. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesian’s, Paul earnestly asks God to work through His Holy Spirit in us (our inner-beings), so that we are strengthened with might, through all God’s glorious riches.  

God’s riches are infinite and indeed glorious hence Paul’s prayer request of God is one of a most generous measure for us. God’s riches are not human centred earthly possessions, no, His glorious riches include the limitless Christ-like qualities that were on display during His time with us on earth over 2000 years ago, and those that He continues to shower over us today through His unfathomable love for us as our living God.

I too, pray that God through His Holy Spirit may continue to strengthen our inner beings and share treasures from His glorious riches such as His unconditional love, His mercy, His compassion, His care, His serving nature, His graciousness, and His wisdom, just to highlight a handful. These riches and everything else that our Lord provides us, equip us with absolutely all we need to serve Him and share the good news (and indeed these riches) with others to grow His earthly Kingdom.     

PRAYER: God of glorious riches. You are the gracious provider of all things. Teach me to have total confidence that as your child, You will indeed provide all that I need to tackle every situation in life that You lead me into. Keep my heart and mind open to let Your Spirit dwell within me so that I am equipped to partner with You in Your earthly mission work here, including those things I would not have considered myself capable of doing.  Amen

Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping.