DAY 5
Pray to Know the Riches of His Inheritance
‘I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know … the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.’ Ephesians 1:18 NIV
The great news is that those who are in Christ have a rich inheritance in Christ. Paul has already celebrated that these riches have been made available to us by grace, and we did nothing to deserve them. They have come to us through Christ and His sacrificial death and are now made available to us through the Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.
So, what is this rich inheritance that Paul is eager for us to know about?
First, there is the promise of a new, resurrected body. The great news for the Christian is that death is not the end but a temporary separation from the body as we await the return of Christ. When Jesus comes back, we will receive new bodies in the likeness of His resurrection body.
Second, there is the promise of a new home. He will renew creation and bring it into its eternal glory, and it will become our eternal home.
Third, there is the promise of a new glory as God comes in person to live with us on the new earth: ‘God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ Revelation 21:3-4. No wonder Paul prayed that we might know all this!
DEVOTIONAL
by Martha French
QUOTABLE QUOTE
“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”
– C.S. Lewis - writer and scholar
Prayer points
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- Let’s pray that together we might be enlightened to know the riches of this great inheritance.
- Pray over our church, that we would be a family with 'eternity mindsets.' That we wouldn’t get caught up in the details of daily living but instead see our lives from the grandiose, panoramic perspective of eternity.
- Pray for ‘eternity mindsets’ over the worldwide Church. That we would be brave and courageous Christians, knowing that the fulness of life goes far beyond living now.