Ephesians 5.15-21 (6)
Pray Psalm 27.11-13.
Teach me Your way, O LORD,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
Sing Psalm 27.11-13.
(St. Denio: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
LORD, teach us; LORD, lead us because of our foes!
Hear, LORD, when we plead for release from their woes.
Had we not believed all Your goodness to see,
our heart sorely grieved and in turmoil would be.
Read Ephesians 5.15-21; meditate on verses 20, 21.
Meditate on the actions indicated.
Preparation
1. What overall orientation or focus does Paul commend?
2. How do we express that?
MeditationThese two verses are parts 2 and 3 of what we should expect when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. We’ve already seen that the filling of the Spirit affects our speaking. When we are filled with Him our words are like spiritual music to those around us, and our speech is gracious, edifying, and God-honoring.
In verse 20 we find a second participle that describes the condition of being filled with the Spirit: giving thanks. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we speak edifying words to those around us. And we speak words of thanksgiving to God, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Giving thanks describes a Spirit-filled person because thanksgiving recognizes and embraces the sovereignty of God and His good and perfect will in all things. If we are speaking as Paul indicates, that will find us giving thanks since many of those psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs will include words of thanksgiving.
Finally, another participle: submitting—to one another in the fear of God. Which is to say, submitting to God then to one another. To God, that we might serve Him in the power of His Spirit. To one another, the same.
So the filling of the Spirit is not just something we feel. He is like an overflowing river of grace when He fills us, and we cannot help but respond with speaking, giving thanks, and submitting as befits the holy, gracious, encouraging, edifying, and God-honoring character of the Spirit.
But we must act in faith in line with His movements. Deny any worldly and debasing concerns. Seek the filling of the Spirit. Then, take whatever step of speaking, giving thanks, or submitting is immediately at hand. The Spirit will meet you there, and then the joy begins.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162.“Open your mouth for the speechless,
in the cause of all who are appointed to die.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and
plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Prov. 31.8, 9).
“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…” (Eph. 5.19).
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8.28).
“…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father
in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Eph. 5.20).
“I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the LORD;
the humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt His Name together” (Ps. 34.1-3).
“…submitting to one another in the fear of God” (Eph. 5.21).
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit,
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,
but also for the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Phil. 2.3-5).
There’s within my heart a melody, Jesus whispers sweet and low,
“Fear not, I AM with thee, peace, be still,” In all of life’s ebb and flow.
All my life was wrecked by sin and strife, Discord filled my heart with pain,
Jesus swept across the broken strings, Stirred the slumb’ring chords again.
Feasting on the riches of His grace, Resting ’neath His sheltering wing,
Always looking on His smiling face, That is why I shout and sing.
Tho’ sometimes He leads thro’ waters deep, Trials fall across my way,
Tho’ sometimes the path seems rough and steep, See His footprints all the way.
Soon He’s coming back to welcome me Far beyond the starry sky;
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown, I shall reign with Him on high.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus—Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing, Keeps me singing as I go.
(Luther B. Bridges, 1909)
Speak. Sing. Give thanks. Submit.
“There the Spirit will meet you, and then the joy begins.”
The melody of God’s grace—in the sweetest Name we know—Jesus.
Reflection
1. Speaking, giving thanks, submitting: In which of these do you need to improve? Explain.
2. Can you think of one step, in each of those three categories, that you could take today?
3. How do you expect to realize more of the filling of the Spirit in your walk with the Lord?
Though we are not always singing, we should be always giving thanks; we should never want disposition for this duty, as we never want matter for it, through the whole course of our lives. Always, even in trials and afflictions, and for all things; being satisfied of their loving intent, and good tendency. God keeps believers from sinning against him, and engages them to submit one to another in all he has commanded, to promote his glory, and to fulfill their duties to each other. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Ephesians 5.20, 21
Pray Psalm 27.14.
Wait, persevere, and cling to the Word of the Lord as you pray. Seek His face and the filling of His Spirit, then go forth, strengthened and full of grace to minister His encouragement to your world.
Sing Psalm 27.14.
(St. Denio: Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise)
Wait, wait on the LORD; persevere in His grace.
Hold fast to His Word; seek His radiant face.
Be strong, set your heart to abide in His Word;
His grace He imparts; therefore, wait on the LORD.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to 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 conclude our study of the place of God’s Law in His Kingdom. Our Read Moore podcast continues working through The Gospel of the Kingdom, working to understand the true Gospel of the Lord. The Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing the life of Brigit, a contemporary of Brendan. Check out our other excellent writers. 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.
