Ephesians 1:18b

There are four requests in Paul’s prayer for the saints in Ephesus. Paul prayed that the “Father of glory” would open the eyes of their heart 1) to learn wisdom and know Him, 2) to know the hope of His calling, 3) to know the riches of the glory of His inheritance, and 4) to know what is the greatness of His power.

It is interesting to observe that the two requests in verse 18 have a future focus: to know the hope of His calling and the riches of a future inheritance. We know from Romans 8:24-25 that hope that is seen is not hope, for you do not hope for what you see. But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. There is great joy in this hope of future grace and the glory of an inheritance yet to be discovered.

So, are you depressed or sorrowful over your family, your present circumstances, the rampant evil in our world, or the belittling of God in our culture? It is our hope in a good, good Father who will cause even these devastating things to work together for good to those who are called. It is in the hope of His calling and the hope of an infinitely valuable inheritance that we find grace to help us now in our time of need.

Tom Day