Ephesians 1.11-14 (7)
Pray Psalm 103.1-4.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies…
Sing Psalm 103.1-4.
(Old 100th: All Creatures That on Earth Do Dwell)
O my soul, bless the LORD’s great Name! His many benefits proclaim:
He pardons sins and heals disease, and from the pit grants us release.
Read Ephesians 1.1-14; meditate on verses 11-14.
How many references to God are in these verses? How does that affect your relationship with Him?
Preparation
1. Who is the focus of verses 11-14?
2. How do “we” and “you” benefit from God and His work?
Meditation
Let’s set ourselves down in one of the house churches of Ephesus, gathered to hear the first reading of this epistle, just received from Paul, a small gathering in a private home, one perhaps of many such churches across the city. Adults, children, young and old. Ready to listen.
Paul, the greatest of the apostles—concerning whom some present had only heard, while others knew him—greeted them—ordinary folk—as “saints” and “faithful” in the Lord, offering them “grace” and “peace” from the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Their souls would have quickened as the pastor slowly and carefully read the litany of blessings God had accomplished for them. He chose them. He ordered and guided their lives and adopted them as His own. He redeemed and forgave them, revealed the mystery of His will to them, abounded in grace and gathered them together so that He might fill them and Ephesus and the world with Jesus and His glory. And He offered Himself to them as their inheritance, sealing them to Him by His Spirit and assuring them that He was coming again to receive them to Himself.
All this, after the greeting, in one breathless sentence (vv. 3-14, in the Greek). The awareness of these spiritual blessings must have filled that room like a sudden refreshing breeze or the welcome aroma of a meal in preparation. Heart rates must have risen. Perhaps tears of joy welled. Here a head bowed in prayer. There a husband and wife clasped hands. Men smiled at one another across the room or high-fived in some ancient equivalent manner. A sense of awe, wonder, peace, and unspeakable joy must have filled that room to realize again, in one brief hearing, how great the love of God is for nobodies like us.
No sermon was needed. After singing and embraces all around, they would have taken the Lord’s Supper with new clarity, conviction, wonder, and gratitude.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You established the earth, and it abides.
They continue this day according to Your ordinances,
for all are Your servants” (Ps. 119.89-91).
All of creation is maintained by the purpose of His will.
And our predestined adoption and inheritance were also planned
“according to the purpose of Him Who works all things
according to the counsel of His will…” (Eph. 1.11).
The heavens, the earth, and all His people “continue this day” because He wills us to.
His grace is amazing and undeserved; and His love divine and overwhelming. It is a mystery.
Come behold the wondrous mystery
In the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises
Robed in frail humanity.
In our longing, in our darkness
Now the light of life has come
Look to Christ, Who condescended
Took on flesh to ransom us.
Come behold the wondrous mystery
He the perfect Son of Man
In His living, in His suffering
Never trace nor stain of sin.
See the true and better Adam
Come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment
Of the law; in Him we stand.
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners
Hangs the Lamb in victory.
See the price of our redemption
See the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory
Grace unmeasured, love untold.
Come behold the wondrous mystery
Slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain Him
Praise the Lord; He is alive!
What a foretaste of deliverance
How unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected
As we will be when He comes.
(Papa, Boswell, Bleecker, 2013)
Reflection
1. With whom can you share the spiritual blessings of the Lord this week?
2. How would you explain our inheritance to a new believer? What is it? What is it for?
3. How does knowing you are sealed by the Spirit and guaranteed “delivery” to God affect your walk with and work for Him?
What a gracious promise that is, which secures the gift of the Holy Ghost to those who ask him! The sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit seal believers as the children of God, and heirs of heaven. These are the first-fruits of holy happiness. For this we were made, and for this we were redeemed; this is the great design of God in all that he has done for us; let all be ascribed unto the praise of his glory. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Ephesians 1.9-14
Pray Psalm 103.19-22.
Thank God for all the spiritual blessings mentioned in Ephesians 1.1-14. Praise Him for His sovereign greatness and love. Commit this day and all your activities in it to His honor and glory.
Sing Psalm 103.19-22.
(Old 100th: All Creatures That on Earth Do Dwell)
He rules upon His throne in heav’n; His sovereign rule o’er all is giv’n.
You angels, bless the LORD, rejoice, who live in strength to heed His voice.
All you who serve Him, bless the LORD, all you who heed His righteous Word!
Let all throughout the cosmos whole unite to praise Him, with my soul!
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we begin looking at commerce from a Kingdom perspective. Our Read Moore podcast continues readings from the book, Such a Great Salvation. Our Crosfigell series on Brendan of Clonfert finds the saint beginning his second voyage to find The Promised Land of the Saints. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
