Ephesians 2:7 AMP “[and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly] show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption].”
There is a book of wisdom called Sirach which can be found in the NRSV Bible, and I want to look at a verse in this book also and talk about how they work together.
Sirach 2:4-5 NRSV “Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient. For gold is tested in the fire, and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation. Trust in him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him.”
In the verse above from Ephesians you can see and hear the incredible love that I have for you. The verse shows the abundance of life and the abundance of My care. If you add to that…
Ephesians 3:20 ESV “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”
…you see even more abundance and My desire to give you everything that is good for you.
How does that fit with the verses in Sirach about accepting whatever befalls you and being patient in humiliation?
Deep inside everyone reading this understands how these fit together. The abundance that I offer has nothing to do with what is available within the context of this world. It is not about career, relationships, children, or anything else that you will find while you are here on this earth. The abundance I offer you comes from the knowledge of Me and the experience of Me. It comes from the depth of the relationship we have available and that I am here no matter what happens and, My presence, is what brings the very things you think you want in this world.
If you seek a greater career – you actually are seeking My presence.
If you seek a child – you actually are seeking My presence.
If you seek greater responsibility in your life through more possessions – you actually are seeking My presence.
If you seek a spouse – you actually are seeking My presence.
There is nothing in this world that will satisfy you, and yet, I encourage you to fully enjoy all that is available to you here…but without thinking that it is what you actually want. What you actually want is Me and you find Me in the day to day of seeking out all the things in this world that are available to you. How? Because we walk together and find life together.
Therefore, if you accept what befalls you and are patient in times of humiliation you discover the fullness of the gift shared with you…the unsearchable riches of the grace I have already shared with you.
Knowing that nothing in this world is permanent and knowing that nothing in this world will satisfy helps you walk out the truth of the Kingdom as you move through life. All the things of this world are simply things for us to do and try and practice as we walk together. They all develop your personality, test your resolve, and drive you deeper and further into Me.
I believe this is a message to us from God, written from His perspective – Sherri
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