16 I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph 3:16-19 CSB)
Have you ever heard anyone say, “For the love of God?” You know, in a sarcastic, almost disgusting way? My parents never allowed such talk around our house. While it might not have fallen into the category of “cussin'” it certainly was considered unnecessary!
The other day, as I was meditating on the role of God in my life, that phrase came to my mind. Rather than feeling put off by it, I began to think about the many blessings I experience because of His great love. Ephesians 3 details some of those blessings.
Because of His love I experience…
- The riches of His glory
- Internal strength through the Holy Spirit
- His presence in my heart by faith
- The awareness of the scope of His love (Length, width, height, depth)
- All the fullness of God
Really, what this speaks to me is that God is for us and not against us! He is on our side! The writer of Ephesians got it right. God’s love for us cannot be fully comprehended (surpasses knowledge). And yet, His interaction with us proves His love–even when we can’t fully comprehend it.
The Psalmist understood the importance of experiencing God’s presence…
1 If the LORD had not been on our side — let Israel say — 2 If the LORD had not been on our side when people attacked us, 3 then they would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger against us. 4 Then the water would have engulfed us; the torrent would have swept over us; 5 the raging water would have swept over us. 6 Blessed be the LORD, who has not let us be ripped apart by their teeth. 7 We have escaped like a bird from the hunter’s net; the net is torn, and we have escaped. 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psa 124:1-8 CSB)
I’m grateful “for the love of God!” And, I mean that in the most positive way possible!
PRAYER: Father, I’m so very thankful for your incredible love. Like the Psalmist, I realize that my life would be much less productive if I did not have you on my side. I realize that my mind cannot comprehend the fullness of your great love, but let me always be aware of the daily love deposits that make my life richer. Amen.
Thinking Out Loud 