Lord, this morning I decided to look at Ephesians to try and help my mind get a better grasp of all the blessings I have in You. The description of what You have provided for your children in chapters one and two always just blows me away, and I realize that I am not walking in the abundance You offer. You have blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms, have redeemed us through grace that You have lavished on us, chosen us to be holy and blameless before the world began, adopted us as your very own children through the kind intention of your will, and made know to us the mystery of your will. We are your very own possession, and You have given us your Spirit as a pledge. At the end of chapter one, Paul prays:
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places.”
It just overwhelms me every time I read that, and I long to walk in the fullness of my calling or the fullness of your power. I decided to meditate on this book for a while so that perhaps the eyes of my heart will be enlightened. In Philippians 3:10 Paul talks about knowing him and the power of his resurrection, but then he talks about knowing the fellowship of his suffering. He then said even though he had not fully attained all that Christ had attained for him, he was pressing on towards that high calling.
That is what I want to do Lord. Show me how to press forward, and to forget what is behind. Do not let yesterday’s heartaches and struggles prevent today’s victories. Help me to understand the incredible calling I have as your child. It is simply miraculous! I know it. Many times I have tapped into you great power, but I do not stay there habitually. Teach me to walk in your Spirit, and to press forward. That requires an active stance on my part. Pressing forward means that I am determined, and steadfast in my resolve. Father today, help me press forward towards that amazingly high calling in Christ. Thank You many times over for what You have provided me through Jesus. I have been transferred from death to life, and made part of your family. Never let me take that for granted. I am in awe! Today, help me appropriate your blessings in every aspect of life. I praise You for who You are, and thank You for who I am because of Jesus. Hallelujah!
Sweet child, you are the apple of my eye (Zec. 2:8). I am always watching you and listening to your cries (Ps. 34:15). Cling to Me (Jer. 13:11), and you will naturally walk in the abundant life and blessings I offer. You are still too affected by your circumstances—the struggles you face are intended to show you that. When you focus on troubles, they rule you. When you focus on Me, I will carry you and give you peace that passes human comprehension (Ph. 4:7). It makes no sense in the eyes of the world when you live that way; yet it when you are able to overcome circumstances it draws people to Me and I am glorified. When you look anxiously about and become tossed to and fro by life, you are glorifying the problems. Even though the children of Israel had seen my glory, their unholy fear of the false gods of the nations kept them from walking in my blessings. Surely none of them desired to sacrifice their children to Molech—they did it out of fear. What are you afraid of? Whatever it is, it becomes your master. That is why you must fear Me. However, the fear of the Lord is not associated with punishment or panic. It is honoring Me above anything else that tries to exalt itself in your life, and casts out all other fear, because you know that you are secure in my love (2 Cor. 10:5, 1 Jn. 4:18). Yes, I realize the problems are big, but I am bigger. Remember that my purposes cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2). Since my will is your desire, you can rest assured that I will work all of these circumstances together for good (Rom. 8:28), but holding on to fear and the need for control can postpone the victory. You must surrender this completely dear child. I will not force you to let go, but I am standing here waiting for you to cast your cares on Me. I AM the answer; so stop looking anxiously around you for another solution (Is. 41:10). As you press forward, be diligent to enter into the rest I offer (Heb. 4:11). Do not let unbelief keep you from it. This is a choice dear one. Choose to reject fear and unbelief. Choose to cling to Me instead, because I am faithful. Hold on to Me, and I will lead you into victory.