Just as any person who sets out on a journey will only do so when they believe they can accomplish the journey, so we as believers set out on a journey of faith. As the person on a journey may take with him or her the tools needed to complete the journey, we as believers take with us the tools God has given us to make this journey of faith. From now until Palm Sunday we will be working through the Book of Ephesians, a letter to believers which provides the tools of faith we need for our journey.
A person may begin a long journey with the needed tools to finish the trek. The first requirement may be a backpack. In that backpack will be the other tools the traveler will want.
Although we have faith we often need strength in our faith. As we begin a journey of being a Christian, whether new to the faith or moving deeper in our beliefs, we must take things with us. Like a backpack that contains all the other tools, the aspects of our faith must be contained in something. Our faith is wrapped up, held and contained, in the knowledge of the presence and power of God and the saving grace of Jesus.
Ephesians begins with the name “Paul,” indicating his authorship, but there is much debate as to who wrote this book. Regardless of the author we can be assured that the letter was written by someone with tremendous faith. What prayer is offered for the believer? How might we gain wisdom and revelation? What is the hope we are called to?
It seems clear that the purpose of the letter to the believers in Ephesus is to develop and strengthen a growing faith. The author prays that God will work with the believers, and that prayer can be for each of us too. The prayer is that all who have faith in God and in Jesus Christ will have the truth of the Lord’s grace and power revealed to them.
Through the working of God in our hearts and minds we can build a firm foundation for our beliefs. The hope that is mentioned is not the hope of wishful thinking. Rather it is confidence and assurance that God’s love is true, that Christ is indeed our Savior.
We need to open our hearts and souls to the power of God. As believers we must invite God to move in our hearts and draw us deeper in our faith and confidence in the reality of the Lord. This is the mighty strength of God. He is able to fill us with knowledge – a firm, unswerving, unfailing certainty – that He is with us in all things.
When we know that God loves us and is with us then we have the glorious riches, an incredible inheritance, from our Savior. God is with all who believe.
DAILY CHALLENGE: How do you know God is with you?
