Paul
continuing Ephesians 1:18ff, asks for a spirit of wisdom and
revelation of the glory of the riches our inheritance. As with hope,
this has both the here and now, and hereafter aspects. Dealing this
morning with the former, we need wisdom and revelation to know
firstly what is our inheritance, then secondly to know and
experience that aspect of Revelation that enables us to tap
into it. Peter tells us that all necessary things that pertain to
life and godliness have already been given to us. And as here,
in the Ephesians prayer, in Peter it's “through the knowledge of
Him,” but also through the “exceedingly great and precious
promises” (2 Peter 1:3, 4). Clearly we need to know what the
premises are (so read them!), how to contend for them, and then we
need revelation Grace to press into, and to war for them.
When
Scripture speaks of life here in 2 Peter and elsewhere, it's
speaking of life in the hereafter, but also life in all its fullness,
that is the best possible life we could live (John 10:10b). If we
are not there yet, and
because
it’s progressive I daresay that non of us are, then there is yet
much "land to be gained." When Israel was about to
enter the promised land, the Lord told them He would “drive
out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be
allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will
multiply around you” (Deuteronomy 7:22). Notice the cooperation
here between God and Israel. It is God who ultimately drives them
out, but also it “you” who will (be allowed to) eliminate them.
It’s the same with us! Notice also that if we try to deal with too
much at once, other things ("wild animals")
will come in take over the land we have gained. We should not despise
the day of small beginnings (Zechariah
4:10) particularly in
recovery where sometimes people try to deal with many issue at
the same time. There is wisdom in dealing "little by little."
Nobody
can do this for you! If all you do is listen to Sunday sermons, you
will not grow in wisdom and grace (2 Peter 3:18). All things have
already been given, but tapping into them, is not automatic. I hear
things like “If God promised, it'll happen!” But this is to fail
to understand the need for the cooperation we see in the Deuteronomy
passage and elsewhere. God will do His part if we do ours. In
particular we read "The word they heard did not profit them, not
being mixed with faith (Hebrews 4:2). And the type of faith spoken
about here, is a faith that acts, a faith that's obedient (verse 6,
see also James 2:17).
Father,
I like the version of Psalm 68:19 which says “Blessed be the Lord,
who daily loads us with benefits. The God of our salvation! Selah.”
So I thank You again this morning Lord for salvation and for all the
benefits that you daily give. Lord many think that Selah means to
pause and reflect, and this fits well with Your Word, and what we
are considering today. In particular he who mediates on Your word
night and day will prosper in all that he does (Psalm 1:2,3). Thank
You Lord for the Principles and Promised of Your Word, and for the
Power of Holy Spirit in our lives in Jesus Name Amen
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