Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through the Spirit in the inner man."
Text: Ephesians 3:16
A PRAYER FOR POWER
One of the most striking promises that Jesus gave to His disciples was that of power from the Spirit of God for life and ministry. He said,
But you shall receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me…
ACTS 1:8
It is not without significance that the apostle Paul should also petition God for believers to be given “might” (literally “power”- “dunamis” The same word is used in Acts 1:8 and Ephesians 3:16).
UNDERSTANDING THE WORD “MIGHT”
The word “might” (NKJV) or “power” (“dunamis”) was a big word in Paul’s vocabulary. Let us attempt to appreciate what Paul had in mind when he used this word “power”. In the two references in Ephesians 1, Paul had in mind tremendous might.
1. God’s exceeding great power (Ephesians 1:19)
2. A reference to power found only in angelic beings (Ephesians 1:21)
STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT
What did Paul have in mind when he used the phrase, “to be strengthened with might”? Let us ponder the following thoughts:-
1. The use of synonyms (“krataiothenai” – “to be strengthened” and “dunamis”- “power”)
When used in juxtaposition, the idea becomes very obvious. Paul is praying most specifically that the Ephesian believers would be made truly strong with the exceeding power of God Himself.
2. The Concern about “strength and power”
Paul was right to be concerned that believers be filled with the power (“might”) of God. From the earliest times till the present day, few believers can speak of being truly filled with the power of God! Paul was right in making this petition to God. This prayer is valid even today
THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF GOD
How may a believer become strong and mighty? There was only one way- through the ministry of the Spirit of God Himself. He already indwells every believer (Cf. Ephesians 1:13-14). The Spirit of God being Divine has all the power of the Godhead. If only we would plead that we may be filled with the power that comes through the Spirit of God! There would be such strength and power in our life and ministry.
IN THE INNER MAN
The believer who is truly strong and mighty is not necessarily the one who has been given special gifts. The genuinely strong Christian is one who has strength and power in the inner man.