For this reason
I bow my knees before the Father,
(Ephesians 3:14 ESV)
This year I decided I would again try to memorize some verses. In the past I’ve failed miserably, memorizing a little part of something, like a psalm, but never finishing it, and eventually forgetting most of it. I’ve read a lot, and I can find much of it because I remember about where it is, and maybe it’s highlighted in pink on the bottom right side of a page. Of course, that doesn’t help when I switch bibles! Google also helps!
However, I needed a different tactic. I decided on Ephesians 3:14-19. Not too short, but not too long – and I love these verses! But how to accomplish this? My new strategy involved writing the first letter of each word, phrase by phrase, on my bathroom mirror in dry erase marker. I’d not tried this method before, but it couldn’t hurt! (I wish I’d understood this years ago when I was I school!)
As I practiced it, certain words or phrases stuck out to me, and I would chew on them – aka meditate. So, the next several blogs will be focusing on some of what has grabbed my attention.
The above verse starts with For this reason. For what reason? Paul lists several reasons that so astounded, thrilled and amazed him that he could do nothing more than bow in worship to the Father. We can do the same. Here are a few I found in the preceding verses:
Mysteries hidden for generations were now being made known to us.
Gentiles are now included (that includes all of us not Jewish,) and we are not second-class members. We have all the promises made to the Jewish people because we are in Christ through the gospel. The unsearchable riches of Christ are for everyone.
We have been given grace because of His power – not our works.
The wisdom of God – manifold, diverse, all-encompassing, amazing – is being shown to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.We know that James 1:5 says that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” I am so thankful for that. But here, in Ephesians, Paul says God’s wisdom is being revealed to “rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” That is the demons, principalities and powers Paul talks about later in Ephesians 6. Satan doesn’t know the future, or God’s ultimate plans. Remember, if Satan had known Jesus would rise from the dead and take back his keys – his authority – he would never have had Jesus crucified! And he really doesn’t like that Jesus gave us the keys – authority over the enemy and the gates of hell! Because of this, we can act boldly and confidently in faith because of what Jesus accomplished.
He’s not revealing His wisdom so the enemy can mess things up, but I think it’s part of God bringing good out of all the devil’s schemes, teaching us how to war in the spirit… maybe rubbing the enemy’s nose in his failure to beat God. I like that thought!
I looked at the verses that preceded this and found another For this reason at the beginning of the chapter! I’m only going to mention a few.
He abolished the law of commandments and works, killing the hostility between Jewish and non-Jews believers. He preached peace to those near and far – and that includes us.
We are no longer strangers and aliens, but citizens of the household of God!
We are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit! He dwells within us. We no longer need to “go to Temple” to be near Him.
What reasons do we have to fall on our knees and worship? What truths has He revealed to us by His Spirit that have changed us, healed us, comforted us? Here’s a couple of mine:
I am not a mistake.
I am “clothed with strength and dignity and can laugh at the days to come.”
I am His beloved daughter.
He is my Strong Tower.
He has redeemed my past.
Thank You, Papa God!
Thank You, Jesu!
Thank You, Holy Spirit!
You are holy and
You deserve all my worship!
Amen!