“The surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe… which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”
—Ephesians 1:19-20

Reflection

Paul prayed that you and I would comprehend the greatness of God’s power toward us who believe. This is resurrection power, the power Father demonstrated when He raised Messiah from the dead.

And this power is at work in you.

That truth becomes especially important when you feel discouraged, depleted, or as though nothing is happening in your life. There will be times when you do not feel strong. There will be days when pursuing God feels difficult. But your spiritual life is not sustained by your feelings. God is strengthening you from within by His Spirit.

So we keep moving forward by faith. We continue pursuing Him, even when we cannot see immediate results. We thank Him, give Him glory, choose what is right, and discipline ourselves to remain faithful.

Something is happening as we persevere.

Our inner man is being strengthened. God is forming endurance within us and bringing us into greater maturity in His Spirit. What may feel like simply putting one foot in front of the other can actually be part of His transforming work in our lives.

This is why we do not have to be defeated by the difficulties we face. Scripture tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God and that whoever is born of God overcomes the world.

Whatever you may be struggling with, and whatever hurt you may have experienced, your present circumstances do not have the final word. Scripture says, “A righteous man falls seven times, and rises again” (Proverbs 24:16).

Following Yeshua does not mean you will never be knocked down, discouraged, or have a difficult day. It means that when you fall, you do not have to remain there. The Spirit of God is at work within you, giving you strength to rise, persevere, and continue forward.

The grave could not hold Yeshua. And because His resurrection life is at work in you, defeat does not have to define your story.

Application

• When you feel discouraged or depleted, continue pursuing God by faith, even when you cannot yet see what He is doing.
• Remember that His Spirit is strengthening you inwardly and giving you the power to rise again.

Prayer

Father, enlighten the eyes of my heart so that I may understand the greatness of Your power toward me as one who believes. When I feel discouraged or depleted, help me continue forward by faith. Strengthen my inner man and remind me that Your Spirit is at work within me. Help me persevere, pursue You, and remain faithful even when I cannot see immediate results. Thank You that when I fall, by Your power I can rise again. Amen.