A Daily Devotion for Tuesday, July 7

Ephesians 1:1-10

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment —to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

This reading from Ephesians is just what I need today. Paul spells out how our God sent Jesus to save us, “In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ…” We need not worry, when we know we have been included in this plan, “to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” I am so thankful for God’s Word in scripture. From all of His witnesses, we have a record of God’s will through the ages. Where would we be without this teaching?

Holy Lord, I am thankful for all you have given us through scripture, to better understand your plan and your will. We cannot know everything, of course, but you help us to see the big picture. Please hold me close, feed my curiosity when it is your will to do so. I want to grow closer and closer to you. Amen

Becky, transforming