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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 49

"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."

Text: Ephesians 1:18

HIGH PURPOSE IN INTERCESSORY PRAYER

There was a great sense of purpose in Paul’s intercessory efforts on behalf of the Ephesians brethren. (The sense of purpose is well conveyed by the effective employment of the Infinitive in the Greek text). Intercessory prayers must always have the highest sense of purpose. Paul had understood the significance of enlightenment from the Spirit of God. Without this work of enlightenment, there would never be depth in comprehension of God’s calling.

PURPOSE AND RESULT

Purpose and result may not always coincide. Nevertheless, hope for great results must be tied in with high purpose in prayer. Paul’s intercessory prayer also revealed what he hoped would be the end-results. With all his heart he hoped that the Ephesian brethren “may know” much more about their calling from God.

THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE

What a wonderful combination of words in this statement!

1. “The riches” (Ephesians 1:7,18)

2. “The glory” (Ephesians 1:6,12,14,18)

3. “His inheritance” (Ephesians 1:11,18)

4. “The saints” (Ephesians 1:1,18)

Each phrase contributes much in its own right. The key word is “inheritance”. Paul had already intimated that God had indeed determined that we should receive an inheritance in and through Christ (Ephesians 1:11).

Using the same word “inheritance”, Paul added a beautiful turn of phrase. He described “the saints” as “God’s inheritance”. We can understand and appreciate what it means to be given an inheritance in Christ. We stand to gain every blessing. But how are we “His inheritance”? What does God stand to gain from having us as “His inheritance”?

WHAT DOES GOD SEE IN MAN?

On occasions, the psalmist David pondered over the question of what God sees in man. His reflection is well articulated in the following text. In candid honesty, David cannot fully comprehend why God would even take notice of the puny feature called “man”.

“LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?
Or the son of man, that you are mindful of him?
Man is like a breath;
His days are like a passing shadow.”
PSALM 144:3-4

This question is best brought to the Lord in meditative prayer. May He grant us enlightenment that we may know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.