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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 163

"Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory."

Text: Ephesians 3:13

UNDERGOING TRIBULATION

What were some of the tribulations the apostle Paul underwent, for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel, and for the sake of the Church? Paul made mention of some of the sufferings he had to endure for the sake of the kingdom of God. We need only to highlight some of the things he had to suffer.

In labours more abundant, in stripes above measure,
in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
Three times I was beaten with rods, once was I stoned;
three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day
I have been in the deep…
2 CORINTHIANS 11:23-25

DO NOT LOSE HEART

How easy it is to lose heart. One shudders at the thought of what Paul must have suffered for the sake of the Gospel and for the sake of the Church. How did Paul himself manage not to lose heart? Again let us turn to another wonderful word he wrote to the Corinthian Church.

Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we
have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our
outward man is perishing, yet the inward man
is being renewed day by day. For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us
a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:1, 16-17

1. For the sake of the ministry

Paul refused to give in to the obvious pain and suffering he had to endure. What kept him going was the thought of “ministry”. He had been entrusted with a great ministry! He could not see himself letting the Lord down. He drew much strength and encouragement from dwelling on the ministry that he had been entrusted with. He wore the mantle of an apostle and a teacher to the Gentiles with tremendous distinction.

2. Afflictions are but for a moment

No matter how much pain may have to be endured, affliction is only “for a moment”. When seen in the background of eternity, present affliction is but “light”.

3. Eternal weight of glory

In his mind, Paul caught a glimpse of the “eternal weight of glory.” That understanding enabled him to bear all his sufferings with great nobility.

4. “Which is your glory” (Ephesians 3:13)

Paul bore in mind the glory of the Church where both Jew and Gentile were one in Christ. To preach this great truth, Paul suffered much. But he was willing to bear all tribulation if that meant that the Church could fathom the glory that was theirs by virtue of Christ’s blessings!