Got Hope?

So this morning I get up and realize that I forgot to set the alarm for the house last night. (Not my house, the one I'm staying in) For a moment, I panicked with the thought that "I slept all night unprotected." Then that thought was swept aside with another one; "God was still protecting me." Thank God that I don't have to remember to punch in a code to enable his watchfulness. Thank God for watching over me through the night and for giving me this day.

The Word...

Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV)

¹⁸ I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, ²⁰ which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

Here again we see the prayer warrior Paul who, on behalf of the Ephesians, goes before the Lord with a petition of purpose. Nowhere is there any of this mamby-pamby "help them have a good day" rather a prayer to bring about hope, revelation and understanding.

By his words we see that the hope is found in our collective calling to Jesus Christ. I do not consider this a hope for tomorrow or even further in the future. It is far more than a hope for eternity indeed it is hope for this moment. For it is in this moment only, the now, that we may respond to this calling by laying aside our selves and selfishness to become true disciples of Jesus. What a wonderful prayer that we may be enlightened so that we may know the hope that surrounds and permeates us! The lack of this enlightenment is the source of dark depression, depravity and hopelessness. How sad that there are many who live lives literally swimming in the hope represented by our calling to fellowship with Jesus who never know of it's omnipresence. Now then we should be aware of how important a prayer this is for us to pray on behalf of the lost; that they be enlightened.

But Paul's petition is not just for enlightenment to the hope rooted in the calling, it is also for enlightenment to know "the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints." We are constantly concerned with OUR inheritance in The Lord. But this verse speaks to GOD'S inheritance in the saints, that's us! Come now, have you ever considered yourself, your very soul, something to be inherited? God considers the legacy of Christ's sacrifice, that is the redeemed, to be "riches" and a 'glorious inheritance'. Oh my gosh! What does God see in me? This is amazing and establishes my value in a manner which cannot be calculated in human terms. I have extreme value to God and he rejoices in receiving me as an inheritance. If we can truly grasp the undertanding of this fact, if we can be enlightened that we may know the hope in this statement, then our self esteem should soar! This makes me want to run out into the streets dancing and shouting! What other response could there be?

If this were not enough, Paul continues to pray for a third understanding. Again, this is a present hope and this one is based on 'his incomparably great power for us who believe.' What is this power? I believe it is The Holy Spirit power! It (dynamis) is a 'spiritually dynamic and LIVING force.' Dynamis? Dynamite anyone? Paul goes on to describe the nature of this power. Consider his description that it may contribute to your enlightenment to its' inherent hope. It is a WORKING power (energeian). It is neither latent nor potential but rather it is in motion and accomplishing its task. It is OF his mighty (kratous) which overcomes all resistance and it is of his mighty STRENGTH (ischyos) which God literally provides to and for us.

The manifestation of this power, the reality that we can see with our eyes and know with our minds and feel in our hearts, is the raising of Christ from the dead and placing him at God's right hand in heaven. It was God's power which overcame death, defeated Satan and raised Jesus to a place of glory and authority. This same power is available to us today, NOW.

This is an incredible truth which defies reason and logic. It is as slippery as a fish and that is why Paul prayed that the Ephesians (and by extension you and I) would be enlightened (another manifestion of the power) that we may be secure in this hope.

Just as I was secure under God's watchfulness last night (serendipity!) so too in every moment am I to be secure in this hope. I am looking forward to this day and what other treasures God has prepared for me and I pray that you too may walk in this hope, NOW.

Gripped!
Carl