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Listen while you read: "O The Deep Deep Love Of Jesus"1 (Lyrics) |
Ephesians 3:16-19 – I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (NIV)
During a recent appointment with an occupational therapist for my injured hand, I was interested to observe the various tools used to measure the mobility and movements of my hand and fingers. One of the tools was a device that had a handle with a meter attached that precisely measured grip strength. I squeezed as hard as possible and was surprised at the lack of strength in the injured hand as compared with the other one. I left the appointment with some prescribed exercises that I know I must follow in order to regain strength to grasp with the weak hand.
Some dictionary definitions for the word "grasp" are "to seize and hold by clasping with the fingers", or "to seize upon, hold firmly", or "to get hold of mentally, comprehend; understand". Sometimes, I've said, "I just don't get it" when trying to understand some new concept.
The words of today's hymn written by Samuel Trevor Francis, "O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free", always cause me to ponder. I do want to comprehend this love more and more and to increase spiritual strength in my inner being. I learn from Paul's prayer in today's passage from Ephesians how that is to occur. It does not happen by my own strength. It is all from God's riches through His Spirit. When Christ dwells in our hearts by God's gift of faith, we become rooted and established in love. That is where Christ increases our strength. Only then will we be given the power to even begin to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ! It is simply not in us to do it on our own.
My brothers and sisters, let us all ask God to deepen our faith and strengthen our comprehension of the love of Christ.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You that You desire for us to grasp hold of the great expanses of Your amazing love for us. Thank You for Your holy Word. Thank You for the power of Your Holy Spirit Who reveals Your truth in Your Word to our hearts. Thank You for strengthening us in this way so that we can be filled together to glorify Your name forever. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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May we do that, Sharon.
I got your point, Sharon, so was able to grasp your meaning! This is a great illustration of this passage of scripture.
Thanks, Sharon, for another of your very enlightening writings. Grasping tightly to the words the Lord delivers to us truly gives us the best directions in our daily life. Blessings and may you regain the strength in your sore hand.
Thank you ever so much Sharon!! To think you are so far away and yet so close is amazing. To know of God’s love for all the world is hard to fathom. I pray you are well now. Thank you for your message!
(Nova Scotia. Canada)
Good morning, Sharon,
A good message that we all need to be reminded of how powerful and all in compassing is God’s love for us.
The title of the song reminded me of the song “How Deep is your Love” which was on the radio the year my oldest son was born. Good memories.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and may you train your left hand to “grasp” well once again. Blessings.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. May God bless you abundantly. Blessings.
Thank you, Sharon. If only we could grasp that! And I’m sure that hymn will be rolling around in my head all day.
Wonderful, Sharon, truly wonderful, this may seem obvious but in fact, many do not “get” there, contented with little, when vast stores are available for us because of our kinship with King Jesus!