August 30, 2022 -- Ephesians 3:13 -- Fighting under the parachute-like blanket of discouragement

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So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Ephesians 3:13 ESV

Paul had just written a paragraph explaining God’s multi-coloured work of bringing together His people as Church, a new fellowship of believers, which defies the work of the enemy. However, Paul, the main encourager to this people is himself in prison. It is important for the Ephesians and for us to know suffering is part of God’s plan and design for glory to be fully achieved.

It is easy to get discouraged, thoughts like: my mentor has forgotten me. Or, the minister is not paying attention to me. Can crowd in. Today's verse declares over you: Do not lose heart; God sees you, He knows You; He has placed you in community.

Sometimes our enthusiasm for the things of God leaks out of us and we lose confidence in this work. Paul, inspired by the Spirit, reminds the Ephesians then, and you today, of the Father’s glorious work, started before the foundation of the world—the work to bring you to glory in Christ, the Head of the Church. Preach this to your soul and keep up your hope in Him.

It may be other Christians who are rubbing you the wrong way and you start to think wicked thoughts: “if this is what the church is like, I’m leaving”! Really, where will you go? The Church is the new community forged together by the blood of Christ. It is God’s sign to the Devil that his days are numbered. Do not lose heart. Trust that this brief and momentary suffering has good purpose and a weight of glory attached to it. As much as it depends on you, be reconciled and trust the work of God in bringing you to Himself in a particular people.

God, my heart is near breaking and my mind can’t see the purposes You have. Help me. Thank You for Your beautiful Bible. Thank You for the work of Jesus Christ, in Whose reconciling work I am part of Your family in heaven and part of your family here on earth. Spirit of God, plant deep within me, the glory of the Word of God so that I will endure heart-sickness and these gloomy thoughts will disperse. Thank You for the weight of glory already given to me in Christ and that is in store for me in heaven—which will reflect the greater, most glorious radiance of Christ. Amen.

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