Do You Realize How Incredibly Blessed You Are?
Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23, 3:14-21
In February 2013 a California couple made an amazing discovery. They were walking their dog on their property, along a path they’d transversed many times before, when they spotted a rust-covered metal can poking out of the ground. Exploring further, they eventually uncovered 1427 gold coins having a face value of $27,980, but assessed to be worth about $10 million. Before you head out to take a walk around your property, let me assure you, if you are a believer in Christ, you already possess greater riches than that!
The two prayers of the Apostle Paul in today’s Bible reading are incredibly helpful to us for a variety of reasons. One, they serve as model prayers for us, in the kinds of things we should pray for both for ourselves and others. Two, these prayers focus our attention on the kinds of things which matter most in our Christian lives. We are challenged by the need to “set our minds on things above, not on things that are on the earth” (Colossians 3:2), these prayers are about “things above” kind of matters. Thirdly, both prayers speak to our dependence upon the Spirit, if we are to rightly understand and appreciate the majesty of the blessings which we already possess in Christ.
Note how Paul framed his prayer requests. Ephesians 1:17, “(that God) may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know…” And again in Ephesians 3:16, “(that) he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that…” Notice the similarities? In both cases, Paul prayed that we would come to a realization and appreciation, of certain truths through the inner working of the Spirit. Also of note is the reality the specific things he was praying about, are the very truths he had specifically written about in this very epistle! All that being said, there’s a difference between knowing and KNOWING. Paul was praying for the kind of heart-level, life-altering, hope-imparting knowledge bound up in the intimacy of our relationship with Jesus Himself. He was praying in essence, that we’d have eyes to see the treasure we even now possess in Him.
These prayers speak to five particular things you need by the Spirit to see: 1) the hope you have in Jesus (1:18); 2) the riches you possess in Jesus (1:18); 3) the power which has been availed to you in Jesus (1:19); 4) the intimacy of relationship intended for you in Jesus (3:17); 5) the incomprehensible nature of Jesus’ love for you (3:18-19). These are all ours in Him! We possess them whether we realize it, or not! As Christians, we can be just like that California couple. How many times did they walk that path oblivious to the treasure which was laying there just below the surface? We need to look and see!
The path to glory is not an easy one. There are threats, obstacles and setbacks along with all kinds of troubles. Yet it makes a big difference if we are buoyed by the certain hope of a future inheritance! It makes a difference if we are appreciating the power and love which is ours in Jesus! It matters if we know we are not alone in the journey, but He is with us each step of the way! Believer in Christ, whether you realize it or not, you are incredibly blessed! As we read in the Scriptures of the blessings availed to us, let us also pray the Spirit will open the eyes of our heart to the full measure of these blessings, that we might appreciate and walk in the light of them!
Lord Jesus, we read of how Your grace has been lavished on us. And that we possess every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in You. You’ve blessed us beyond measure! Forgive us that we are not fully appreciating all You’ve done for us and walking in the light of these blessings. Open our eyes to these spiritual realities that we might be awestruck both by You and by Your incredible provision unto us of everything needful. That we might walk in a manner worthy of the high calling we have received. Amen.
My Father is rich in houses and land,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.
Refrain:
I’m a child of the King,
A child of the King,
With Jesus my Savior,
I’m a child of the King.
My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men,
Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them;
But now He is reigning for ever on high,
And will give me a home in heav’n by and by. [Refrain]
I once was an outcast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice and an alien by birth;
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down,
An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown. [Refrain]
A tent or a cottage, why should I care?
They’re building a palace for me over there;
Though exiled from home, yet still may I sing:
All glory to God, I’m a child of the King. [Refrain]
