May 12th | God's Generosity

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

GOD’S GENEROSITY

Ephesians 3:16-17 “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”   

St. Paul in today’s devotional verses continues to discuss with you your prayers you pray to God. First, he reminds you that the one to whom you pray is “rich.” The “glorious riches” to which he refers are not riches in regard to an amount of money or ownership of the things of this world. He is focused upon the gifts God gives you to supply your “inner being.” Money and things cannot feed your soul. Only the Spirit of God can do this through God’s Word and the Sacraments.   

 God gives more than you can ever ask. God’s generosity is beyond comprehension. The gift of His son is of greater generosity than anything found on this earth. To think that God sent Jesus into the world knowing the world would reject Him, spit upon, mock, drive nails into His hands and feet to impale Him on a cross. Yet, you know that is exactly what God did in His generosity to supply all you need for the forgiveness of your sins and an eternal life in heaven. 

In regard to your prayer life, the measure of the Lord’s generosity is not in your crafting of your prayer using the right words and grammar. His response to your prayer is not based upon who you are, what you have done, or your standing in your community. His response to you and your requests is not determined by how great is your need. God answers your prayers out of His underserved love for you. God responds to your petitions because of His mercy. In and through our faith in Jesus you go to Him in prayer and He answers you according to His will and for your good.  It is “. . . out of (God’s) glorious riches He . . . strengthens you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Remember, your faith is God’s gift to you. Your faith relationship with Jesus exists because of the work of the Holy Spirit through the gospel and the sacraments. God’s GRACE is God’s riches at Christ’s expense.   

Prayer: Dear God, strengthen me with power through Your Spirit that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith.” Amen. 

Be still my soul, before the Lord, For God is always near.
Before your mind is moved to pray, God listens and will hear. 

You need not multiply your words Nor pray with practiced art.  
Beyond all speech, God understands The hunger of your heart. 

Wait, then, in quiet confidence, Your anxious thoughts at rest.  
God knows your needs before you ask And works for what is best. 

Be still, my soul, before the Lord; On God in patience wait.  
God’s love, unseen, surrounds your life; God’s help will not be late.  (LSB 771)