Everyone’s life has its dark clouds and dreary days. For all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus there is the added certainty of persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Essential to successfully weathering life’s rains, floods, and storms is salvation’s helmet, hope.
The one hope offered in the gospel by the God of hope is not a nebulous blob of wishful mythology. What the God who cannot lie has promised in His word is a rich and glorious inheritance. Therefore, the apostle Paul prays that “the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18).
Taken at face value, what the inspired penman is asserting is that God’s eternal inheritance is not something which is simply given for you or even to you. It also involves something in you.
The apostle John echoes this thought when he wrote: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). The inheritance of every son of God involves a glorious transformation (Philippians 3:21).
Meditate upon the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance in the saints. Ponder reverently the eternal weight of glory every child of God receives. Contrast it with the fleeting trials and tribulations of this life (2 Corinthians 4:17), and realize we have no good reason to lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:16).
May the eyes of your understanding be enlightened.
