According To

For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father,
from Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
that according to the riches of His Glory
(Ephesians 3:14-16a)

 We all know basically what the word “according” means, at least in practical terms. We pay bills “according” to what is owed – and what is in our bank account.  We buy our clothes “according” to how they will look and fit.  We drive our cars on the right side of the road (in the USA) “according” to our laws.  You get the idea.

I did a word search and “according” appears about 1800 times in scripture.

Here are a few examples:

Psalm 5:8 reads, Let the LORD judge the peoples. Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High. The LORD judges the nations. In the Old Testament, before Jesus came, this was the best people could pray.  Declare me righteous according to my integrity.  I don’t ever want to pray that!  I try my best to walk uprightly before the Lord, but I know myself too well, and so does God!  Judge me, O Lord, according to the righteousness of Jesus! Amen!

In Jeremiah 17:10 the Lord says, I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve. Again, the measure is what I do, or don’t do.

But in the verse at the top, the measurement is according to the riches of His Glory.

According to the riches of His Glory.  When we are looking to receive anything – fame, prosperity, health, love, whatever – we look to receive according to something we have or have done.

If we work hard enough, and budget well enough, we’ll be prosperous.

If we eat all the right foods and never eat any junk food with preservatives, or the wrong kind of fat, or too much sugar, yada yada yada, we’ll be healthy. (We will be healthier than if we don’t eat the junk.)

If we are kind enough, serving enough, unselfish enough, we’ll be loved.

If we persevere and do *whatever* better than anyone else, we’ll be famous.

But this verse says the defining limit of what God wants to give us is His Glory!  It is totally defined by Who He is and all He has.  In other words, immeasurable.

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 51:1. David has sinned with Bathsheba, had her husband killed and is then confronted by the prophet Nathan.  Finally, he acknowledges his sin and repents.  In Psalm 51 he pours out his heart to God.  Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love. (Psalm 51:1) He’s not begging God’s forgiveness because he’s followed the Lord in the past, or been anointed king, or won great victories in battle, or even because he’s worshipped and offered sacrifices.  No.  That wouldn’t be enough mercy.  He asked for mercy according to God’s limitless, unfailing love.  Love that can’t be measured.  Love that never ends.  For His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 118)

There is another verse that uses the exact phrase “according to the riches of His Glory” in Philippians 4:19. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

No matter how big our need or needs,
no matter where God is sending you,
no matter what task He has given you …
God’s Glory is bigger.

He is our Papa and He and Holy Spirit
are helping us grow into being more like Christ.

We have the Great, Glorious God as our Father,
Jesus as our Savior and Friend,
And Holy Spirit as our Helper, Guide and Comforter.

We are loved completely,
unconditionally,
and unendingly (if that’s a word.)

Blessings on your day!