the power . . . “that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 1:20
What is Paul doing here? I thought he was in the midst of praying. Why does he suddenly say this? He has just prayed “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him.” Then his mind has switched from praying to making a comment about what he has just prayed. Don’t you do that at times? I certainly do. My mind is like Paul’s. It is very spontaneous. I can be thinking about or talking about or even praying about something and then in the next instance I have picked up on something I just said and gone off on a tangent with that thought. That is why it is hard to separate Paul’s prayer from his commentary or explanation. He does the same thing in Colossians 1:9-12 and to a degree the passage in Ephesians 3. You truly do have to have your wits about you when reading Paul.
He has just prayed that the Ephesians (and other believers) might come to understand the incredible greatness of God’s power available to us. Then he adds, ‘This is the same mighty power . . . “That raised Christ from the dead and seated Him . . . at God’s right hand.” Which is also the place of power. Paul just simply goes on to add a note of explanation about what kind of power we are dealing with here. He is praying that we grasp the dimensions of this power. It is similar to his comments in Ephesians 3:16-21. There he says I pray you will have the power to grasp the dimensions of God love. Here in Ephesians 1:19-20, he is talking about the power, ability or revelation to grasp the dimensions of His power.
To grasp the revelation of the reality of either His Power or Love or both is life changing. Ask for such a revelation. Hang onto His robe until He blesses you with the revelation. Be like Jacob as he wrestled with God at Peniel and wouldn’t let Him go until He blessed him. (Gen 32) Do the same until God gives you a revelation of His love or His power. But there is a cost. There is a cost of the investment of time involved and there is the fact that you might walk with a limp from that point on. But it’s worth it.
Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Gideon was insecure, Miriam was a gossip, Mary was a worrier, Thomas was a doubter, Sarah was impatient, Elijah was moody, Moses stuttered, Zaccheus was short, Abraham was old and Lazarus was dead. Now, what’s YOUR reason for thinking God won’t use you?
Ian Vail
It was at Peniel that God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. (The “Twister” or “Deceiver” became “Prince with God”. Are you willing to risk it?
Ian Vail
When you wrestle with the text (or God) you walk away limping; Some people have no limp because they haven’t wrestled.
Rob Bell
We forget the power of the One we approach; it’s best to make sure your seat belt is firmly fastened in church.
Ian Vail