We are wrapping up our walk through Ephesians 1 with verses 20-23. What a blessing it has been to walk through this chapter. Yesterday, we discussed what Paul is praying for the believers in Ephesus. Let’s review:

• He prays that God would give them a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. (verse 17)
• He prays that the perception of their mind would be enlightened to know the hope of God’s calling and the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints (us!). (verse 18)
• He prays that they would know the immeasurable greatness of His power to believers, based on the vastness of His strength. (verse 19)

Today, we read verses 20-23 and learn more about God’s power in Christ to which Paul refers in verse 19. Remember. This is the power that Paul wants us to know. Pause. Re-read that. This power is something Paul wants us to know and is based on the vastness of His strength.

It is sometimes easy to think of this power only through the eyes of eternity which is amazing awesomeness all on its own. Yet, Jesus wants us to see His power in our daily lives.

Verses 20-23 focus our eyes on God and Christ Jesus. God:

• demonstrated this power in the Messiah through the resurrection and seating Christ at His right hand in the heavens.
• placing Jesus far above everyone and everything else, now and forever.
• putting everything under Jesus’ dominion.
• making Jesus the head of the church which is His body, the “fullness of the One who fills all things in every way .” (HCSB)

Do you see God’s power? Do you see Christ Jesus’ power? Do you realize what an amazing privilege and blessing it is to be a part of Christ’s church? Is it not amazing that Jesus fills all things in every way? This is the power for which Paul is praying for the believers to know. How would it change our lives if we truly knew this power in our daily lives?

As I studied this passage this morning, my mind went to the challenges I face today as well as the challenges, deep, troubling challenges that some of our members, my family, and friends are facing today. Their challenges are real, painful, and deep with not an end in sight. These verses brought me comfort. I cannot resolve the deep challenges or heal the hurt. Yet, I can pray with confidence and trust in a God who is all-powerful and who can heal, a God who has already conquered. My heart continues to hurt for them. My heart is hopeful to see how God will work even today.

This song came to mind as I read about this power and all that God says about Christ in this passage. Despite our circumstances and challenges, we can lift high His name!

Tomorrow, we will continue in our study of Ephesians, beginning Ephesians 2. It will be exciting to see what God has for us as His children!