Do Not Lose Heart

Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.  For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:13-14

As the spiritual father of the Ephesians, Paul wanted his children in the faith to be well.  He educated them, communicated with them and prayed for them.  In our text for today, he references his prayers for them to the purpose that they ‘not lose heart.’ What is fascinating is Paul’s remark that his tribulations were the ‘glory’ of the Ephesians.  What could Paul possibly mean by this?  Here is one consideration:  In Proverbs 17:6 we find the statement, ‘the glory of children are their fathers.’  Because Paul was the spiritual father of the Ephesians they had great regard for his welfare.  In spiritual terms, he was their glory.  His tribulations for them became their ‘glory’ because they were the evidence of his deep fatherly love for them.  Later in his writings, Paul would remark, ‘I endure’ all things for the elect’s sake that they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Paul was willing, as a good father would be, to endure tribulations for the sake of his children.  He wanted to show them Christ by life and lip.  He wanted to imitate Christ so that they could see in him the mirror image of Christ and be drawn to Him.  To this purpose Paul prayed for the Ephesians and declared, ‘for this reason I bow my knee to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’  God Alone could enable the Ephesians not to ‘lose heart.’  He would have to lift their eyes to show them Christ.  We are much the same.  If we are to rise above the things that would cause us to lose heart, God must lift our eyes and strengthen our heart.  He can and, by Grace, He will.

Our Gracious and Uplifting God,
we rejoice that You have given unto us
encouragements that we not lose heart.
We praise You that You will continue to lift us up
until we see Christ Face-to-face.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning