and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”  (Ephesians 1:19)

In this context we have the first of two prayers recorded in this letter. The apostle is praying that his listeners may know the working of God’s surpassing power in their lives. The same theme is repeated in at least two other places in this letter. (Ephesians 3:20; Ephesians 6:10)

Paul uses strong modifiers to magnify the power of God. The word “power“ speaks of strength and ability. Added to this power is God’s “working“ (energia). Thus, Paul pictures a power that is active. Then, the apostle adds “mighty“ (kratos) which denotes the presence and significance of force. Paul heaps up language as though the idea of God‘s power is too great for expression.

The resurrection of Christ illustrates God‘s power. The same power behind this marvelous event now works in the hearts of God’s disciples. This image is often used by the same author (Romans 6:1-13; Colossians 2:10-13; Galatians 2:20) to illustrate the spiritual renewal that takes place when one is committed to Christ. The child of God, once dead in sin, has been made alive and made to sit with Jesus in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:5)

God’s power was first exerted at the beginning of the Christian’s life. The gospel is the power of God to salvation. (Romans 1:16; 1 Thessalonians1:5)  By God’s power the sinner is translated from darkness into the kingdom of God’s Dear Son. (Colossians 1:13)

As disciples persevere in this relationship, God’s power continues to work in their lives. The disciples are kept for salvation by the power of God. (1 Peter 1:5) “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.” ( 2 Thessalonians 1:11)  God‘s power is everywhere at work in the disciple’s life.

God is determined to use his power to fulfill his Divine purpose. The progress of each disciple can be an experience of this exceeding great power. Dear reader, if you will allow, the heavenly Father is able to do wonders in your life.

By George Slover

Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might,Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23,24)

These two verses hardly describe the condition of Judah at the time of the writing. However, for future reference perhaps Jeremiah wishes to point out all of the nation’s failures.

During Jeremiah‘s day Judah had prided herself in the wisdom of alliances with such nations as Egypt and Assyria. The army of Judah was thought to be strong, and Jerusalem impregnable. And the many days of peace had allowed the nation to accumulate wealth.

The United States of America has celebrated it’s 244th birthday. Our’s is a nation of unprecedented freedom, vast resources, and unparalleled wealth. America prides herself in wisdom, prosperity, and strength, but it is a nation of people who have lost their moral bearing. Our wise Statesmen, extraordinary wealth, and mighty armies apart from a moral compass are worthless. 

In such a society, disciples of Christ are tempted to overvalue the things of this world. It is tempting to think of our education, money, and power as sources of security. We sadly assume that the accumulation of wealth protects us from heartache, that our wisdom can out-wit the other guy, and our imposing physical prowess will avoid calamity. However Jesus rebukes such foolishness with a parable about a rich man in Luke’s Gospel. (See Luke 12:16-21)

The true glory of man is the knowledge of God. The chief purpose of mankind is to glorify God and rejoice in his presence. All other pursuits are subordinate to this one. Disease, death, and financial loss can destroy our earthly treasures, but they cannot destroy our relationship with God.

The prophet lists three marks of the one who has the knowledge of God. It is manifested in fruits of loving kindness toward others, justice or equity in human affairs, and walking in righteousness toward God. Those who truly know God live by those things that God approves.

It is tempting for us to rejoice unduly in those things that derive from education and wealth. But nothing compares with a knowledge of God that connects us with heaven, immortality, and the influence of godly character by which we may and enrich the lives of others.

By George Slover

 

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.”  (Psalms 51:17)

God’s people are to offer sacrifices to Him. Peter says that they are to “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”. (1 Peter 2:5) Their gifts to God include ministering to others, worshiping God, and holy living.

Certainly the sinner can make no atonement for sin. He has no hope without the mercy of God. Under Moses’ law, the bulls and goats that were offered as an atonement for sin, did not fully satisfy the justice of God nor the conscience of man.  Thus, God’s wrath was only fully appeased with the sacrifice of Christ. (see Hebrews 9:12-14) Through the death of Christ, the penitent sinner is purified so that he can offer acceptable gifts to God. (Titus 2:11-14)

The Bible teaches that our gifts to God must be offered with a broken and contrite heart. One glorifies God by recognizing God‘s infinite holiness. While one may sin against his neighbor but, ultimately one’s sin is against God.

The broken and contrite heart implies that one has surrendered themselves fully to God. Only God can fully pardon and renew the spirit. God delights in our humility, because then and only then can he mold us into what he wants us to be.

However, a second, but related attitude must be coupled with a broken heart before the sacrifice is accepted by God. In 1 Samuel 15, Saul the king of Israel was commanded by God to “go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”(1 Samuel 15:3)
Instead, of heeding the voice of God, Saul spared the sheep and oxen and lambs to offer as a sacrifice to God. (see 1 Samuel 15:9,15) God was displeased with Saul.

When Samuel the prophet confronted Saul about the matter, he related an important principle. “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams”.(1 Samuel 15:22) To please God the sacrifice must be coupled with the heart of submission and obedience. God is not pleased with gifts that he has not authorized.

Sacrifices that God has not approved are viewed as rebellion. In such actions man makes himself a worshiper of self rather than God.  Such sacrifices focus on pleasing the carnal person rather than on the Lord. Such sacrifices dishonor the Lord who is holy and good.

When one comes to the altar with gifts to God, first they must approach God with gratitude, for such offerings are only accepted because of God‘s mercy. And second, one must fully yield to God by giving him only what he approves.

By George Slover

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, on Shigionoth. (Habakkuk 3:1)

The first two chapters of Habakkuk are a dialogue between the prophet and God. In this discourse, God reveals his intention to punish unrighteous Judah with the violent Chaldeans.  This revelation from God leaves Habakkuk, a man of faith with questions.  “How can a holy God use an idolatrous nation to punish unrighteous Judah?”  God’s answer is recorded in chapters one and two: God would indeed allow the Chaldeans to invade Judah, “But the just shall live by his faith.  (Habakkuk 2:4)   Habakkuk’s reflection are then recited in the prayer that is recorded in chapter 3.  

Though Habakkuk was a righteous man, as a patriot it was difficult for him to contemplate the decimation of his country. Habakkuk’s prayer includes petition, adoration, and a rumination of God’s character at work.  Through such reflection, the prophet imparts consolation in view of the Babylonian invasion. In this chapter we see at least four marvelous pictures of God.

The Onward March of God. (vs. 3-5) The name of God (Eloah) is employed by the prophet to designate God as the governor of the whole world. He is pictured (vs.3) as coming from Teman and Paran – the country south of Judah and the desert region between Judah and Sinai. Jehovah marches on to execute judgment upon the ungodly world with pestilence just as he had done in Egypt. (Vs. 4,5) 

The Works of God (vs. 6,7) God measures the earth and scatters the mountains. The measuring of the earth may refer to God surveying the world as he accounts for the conduct of each nation. He seeks their attention by rocking the mountains and hills. He punished Cushan and Midian, neighboring enemies of Judah, with affliction. God is sovereign over men and kings, and he moves among the nations.

The Wrath of God (Vs. 8)  The prophet pictures Jehovah as a war-like general marching forth against his enemies. He throws all nature (rivers and seas), emblems of the earths population, into consternation. The wrath of God is as much a reality as the love of God.

The Interposition of God in History (vs. 9-16)  Jehovah is pictured as moving through the land and trampling the nations. Though God would use the idolatrous Chaldeans to punish Judah, they too will soon be an object of his displeasure. He will overcome every obstacle which hinders his purpose – namely the salvation of his people.

Dear reader, we do indeed live in troubling times. But, God is the sovereign ruler of the nations. His purposes will not be thwarted. Therefore, let us have the same resolve as the prophet. “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” (Habakkuk 3:17,18)

By George Slover 
 

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11,12)

In the two letters to the Thessalonians, Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer. There are several prayers recorded in these two books. A study of those prayers will reveal the spiritual emphasis of Paul‘s thanksgivings and petitions, and an acknowledgment of God‘s presence in their daily lives. He prays they will walk in a manner worthy of God.  

Paul first recognizes the reality of their calling. They have been called by the gospel into a relationship with God. It is a high, holy, and heavenly calling. It is no light matter. This calling comes with serious obligations. The people of God have been called to be true to their vocation. 

The saints are called to please God through goodness and faith. They are called God‘s workmanship created for good works. (Ephesians 2:10)  They are to be zealous of good deeds. (Titus 2:14) Paul prays that God will complete the work he has begun through his spirit cooperating with the holy desires of the saints.

In his first letter, Paul remembers their faith. He prays that God will fulfill this work of faith. James says that such a faith manifests itself by works. (James 2:24)  A working faith is an active energy that will lead one to more earnest prayer and a closer walk with God.

The ultimate end of this process is the glory of God. It is to that end that Paul prays “that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him“. Christ has a name that is above all names and is worthy of glory. Christ is honored through holy character and conduct. One day the Saints will be glorified in him and reign with him forever.

Dear brother, remember your calling is from God. Seek the strength and power that comes from him. Put it into action and let the glory of Christ be your one great aim.

By George Slover