Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 3:20-21.
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21.
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Paul spoke these words from his own personal experience and conviction. “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,” Ephesians 3:8. It was amazing to Paul that God would choose him (Paul) for this work: “For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;” Galatians 1:13. “But the Lord said to him (Ananias), “Go, for he (Paul) is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;” Acts 9:15
There is hope for us too! Paul’s personal experience and conviction provide an example and encouragement for us: “Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:16-17.
We might think, and it is true: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 But, today’s Scripture contains more than just an “I can do” thought. Today’s Scripture is primarily a “He can do” thought.
Like God did for Paul, God can also do for us “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us”. Like Paul, we are God’s “chosen instrument” for His work that He has prepared us to do. “… just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
This is the work of God, and it is marvelous. “This is the LORD’S doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:23 “And they *sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!” Revelation 15:3 Marvelous is defined as “causing wonder: ASTONISHING: MIRACULOUS: SUPERNATURAL”. Click here: Marvelous – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
In conclusion, Paul considered it marvelous that God would choose him (“the very least of all saints”) and that God would accomplish all that He did through him (Paul). Let us too consider it marvelous that God would choose us for those “good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” Ephesians 2:10 (“far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think“) and that God is at work in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13. Our response to this marvelous work of God within us is to glorify God as Paul did at the end of today’s Scripture: “to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 