It’s truly difficult to sit beside someone who’s grieving or in despair, a person who has taken one hit after another and has lost all hope. Whenever we surrender hope, our life slowly ebbs from us. We may continue to put one foot in front of the other, but we can no longer see the beauty around us. We no longer find joy in our life or in relationship with others. We see only gloom, and we find it nearly impossible to move toward light and love.
Perhaps this is why, in the prayer Paul consistently offered for the Ephesians, he prayed two things: that God would give them “spiritual wisdom and insight so [they] might grow in [their] knowledge of God,” and that their “hearts [would] be flooded with light so [they could] understand the confident hope” God had secured for them (Ephesians 1:17-18). More than anything else, Paul believed the church in Ephesus needed God’s wisdom to engulf them so that they could hold fast to the hope God insisted was securely theirs.
This hope, the apostle knew, would provide a bulwark against all the sorrows and treacheries the years would surely bring. This hope, which only God could provide, would uphold them whenever it seemed they might be undone. This hope would radiate light for them whenever they felt lost in murkiness and darkness (Ephesians 1:18).
Paul’s prayer reminds me that there are things I must see—things that left to my own devices I’d likely miss. We all need God—to have our eyes enlightened and to see truth illuminated. We need God to help us envision the future we have in Him and the power He promises will steady us (Ephesians 1:19-20). Only God can provide the hope that endures though all calamity and uncertainty.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Hebrews 11:1-40
More:
Read Psalm 119:49-50. What does the psalmist believe is his only hope? How does he connect God’s promises to hope?
Next:
Would you describe your hope in Jesus as a confident hope? Why or why not? Where do you need to experience the illumination of God’s confident hope?
Gary Shultz on December 17, 2016 at 8:05 am
Hi Winn: Yes life does present us with some dampening periods. Spun around in the wringer of circumstances, damage, and despair, we get hung out to dry. Life just sort of goes blank, we didn’t expect, the punch or punches that just staggered us. We may even do an “Elijah” and run into the wilderness. These times are the backbone of our faith and the emergence of that “Confident Hope” as we reach for God and He holds us with His great love and reassurance. It is not of our work or keenness of direction, it is finding an ever reaching God in these situations. We after time learn when things turn south (sorry GG) keep your eyes on God, because we now have learned the lesson of “Confident Hope” and how it is our peace. What another fitting title for this time of year as, it marked the beginning of that hope, Jesus. Thanks Winn, May His touch bless your Christmas.
gagirllive on December 17, 2016 at 8:42 am
Haha….this southern belle still knows how to find True north. Glad tidings to you, dear friend!
sandy229 on December 17, 2016 at 9:09 am
lol
gagirllive on December 17, 2016 at 8:32 am
‘Tis the season to be ….jolly? As you know, Winn, this is also the season that so many struggle with hopelessness and despair. Thank you for the encouragement found here today. Hope of the world come down to rescue us is the very reason for Christmas. How sad that the enemy of our souls has used this wonderful time of year to bring the greatest despair. So many hearts are still shrouded in darkness amidst all the twinkling lights. “We all need God—to have our eyes enlightened and to see truth illuminated.” Amen, Winn. That’s where hope begins. I love the Psalm 119 reference you shared in the “More” section. My hope is certainly made more confident as I trust the promises of God. No word of God can ever fail, and His faithful promises are our shield and our protection, Praise God! What God says, He will do. Knowing this, even in my darkest moments, I am able to be a prisoner of hope. His word is my lamp and my light. In His light, I see light! Romans 15: 13 is my favorite verse on hope. “Now may the God of all hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” How does this translate to me?Trust God; discover hope. Christmas joy to you and yours, Winn!
sandy229 on December 17, 2016 at 9:11 am
Very well said GAgirl! Amen!!
sandy229 on December 17, 2016 at 9:09 am
Jesus is the Resurrected Lord who not only has risen over death and hell, but who reigns as King, pouring His life through His body, the church–the present expression of himself on Earth.
In this text, Paul says he prays for people to receive “spiritual wisdom and insight” (for “revelation”), with the dual objective of their knowing Christ and understanding God’s purpose and power in their lives. Such “insight” refers to an unveiling of our hearts that we may receive insight into the way God’s word is intended to work in our lives.
Paul prays that all believers might progress toward maturity and fully appreciate the greatness and power of their salvation, a power which he assumes will be demonstrated both in and through Spirit-empowered believers.
Have a blessed weekend fellow travelers. Shalom
gagirllive on December 17, 2016 at 10:03 am
Great insight on such a powerful prayer passage! Merry Christmas, dear sister. So thankful you’re here!