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, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:18-19, NIV)
We have all heard the words of a satisfied golfer looking down the fairway from a picturesque tee while playing a round with good friends: “It doesn’t get any better than this!”
If we put golf-only boundaries on such a declaration, then it is normally made with a measure of accuracy. There might be better golf courses in the world, but when one is deeply satisfied, it can be hard to imagine a more wonderful feeling.
Yes, satisfaction in earthly blessings is nice. But when we consider the ends of today’s Scripture, we realize that what God has to offer far exceeds anything we will ever find here on earth.
To begin, recognize that your heart has “eyes.” Many people—including many theologians—are fearful of the heart. It seems too unreasoned, too emotional. And you certainly would not make good judgments with it! Yet Paul shows no such fear. Your heart, he wrote, can “see” what your true eyes do not. Your eyes cannot see hope, but you heart sure can! Moreover, your ears cannot hear God’s voice calling you to this hope, but your heart can! In other words, your heart is your faith center, the place where God communicates with you.
Next, we read that our hope includes sharing in the riches of Jesus’ glorious inheritance. Wait a minute—he descends from heaven, he goes to the cross, he bears our sins, he is resurrected, he ascends to a glorious reward, and we get to share in that reward? Amazing!
Finally, we also receive with that hope Jesus’ incomparably great power in our lives. That’s three awesome words: Incomparable. Great. Power. For someone who is weighed down by the difficulties of life, especially the challenge of our flesh warring against all we know to be right, there is no finer offer. Christ, in his resurrected strength, will deliver salvation and hope to your heart. It truly doesn’t get any better than that!
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Jeff Hopper
December 13, 2013
Copyright 2013 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.