October 21

For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man. Ephesians 3:14-16.

Paul is writing from his prison cell in Rome. In this Epistle to the Ephesians he has shown them their many blessings in Christ. The believer in Jesus is seated with Him at the right hand of the Father. There is no hint of his own situation; Paul is focused only on the best interests of those who would listen to these words—those who loved Jesus.
He bows his knees in prayer before the Father to seek encouragement and strength for those in the body of Christ. He wants them to know the love that surpasses all knowledge; he wants them to be filled with the fullness of God.

I marvel at this self-sacrificing spirit of Paul. Yet, at the same time, I know that this same attitude, this same concern for others, is at the heart of the Gospel. Jesus is teaching us to be the servant to others. We are to place their interests ahead of ours. We are too weak to do this in the flesh. We are to depend upon the Holy Spirit, just as Paul did, to find the motivation and power to respond to God’s will.

Today, Lord Jesus, let me grow in comprehension of Your great love. I want only to show that love to others, and in so doing I want them to see You more clearly. Let them recognize the power and love that comes only from You. I am counting upon You to reveal these things as we walk together in love. Amen.
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