By David ReayMonday 26 Sep 2016LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 0 minutes
Transcript:
Read Ephesians 1:18-23
18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. (NLT)
This is one of those passages of Scripture that can take your breath away. Amidst all our daily struggles, amidst all the sneering attacks of those who reject God, amidst all the apparent out-of-control happenings in the world, God has things in hand. We still wrestle with just how he exercises his goodness and power. We cannot grasp the big picture in detail. But it is important to let the more specific details of our faith and life fit into this vast pattern.
Those of us who read military history are aware of two types of narrative. One is written by the great commanders who move masses of people around, well aware of how they fit in to the wider strategy at work. The other is written by the ordinary soldier. That story is one of confusion and chaos. Retreat here, advance there. Hold that hill, cross that river.
We are so often like the individual soldier caught up in fighting bewildering battles. We don’t know what is going on and wonder at times if we are winning or losing. All we can do is hang on and trust that someone higher up knows what he is doing. Passages like this assure us our trust is not misplaced.
Blessings
David Reay