Another way in which we can build ourselves for the long haul is to grow and become grounded in the knowledge and experience of God’s love for us.
Apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19 details one of the awesome provisions that God has made to take us from a life of insecurity, fear, anxiety, emotional instability, discouragement, etc; to a lifestyle that is rooted and grounded in love, confidence and assurance in God. Let’s read it verse by verse, from the New Living Translation…
[14] When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,
[15] the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.
[16] I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
[17] Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
[18] And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
[19] May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Arguably this is one of the most important scriptures (if not the most important) in my life and walk with the Lord. For almost 20 years, it has been my most ardent prayer for myself, that the Father would work in me. I earnestly pray that out of the rich treasury of the Father’s glory (mercy, grace, patience, goodness and justice), His awesome Spirit would strengthen me in my inner man to form Christ in me; that He would help me deal with the weaknesses in my will, mind, personality, emotions, thinking patterns, etc, that negatively influence my conduct and behaviour, and help me to become more like Jesus Christ.
The truth is that amazing thing happens as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. We become grounded in Christ and our roots grow deep in His love. As we grow in the knowledge Jesus, we begin to experience the incomprehensible love of God for us. Very soon, the love of God becomes our anchor, keeping us stable, steady and safe through the challenges of life. This working of God’s love in us is what brings us into the full manifestation of God’s presence and power in us, to help us grow, stand strong and overcome.
I remember the Holy Spirit once saying to me, “When you start experiencing fear, it is because you have moved from the stronghold of God’s love.”
1 John 4:18 NKJV
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
Indeed, Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-19 has been the bedrock of my life for many years and I’m still learning and drawing from it. Therefore, I encourage you to go back and read and meditate on it, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand it. Then make it your daily prayer too, as it will strengthen and ground you for the long haul.
We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love.
For Further Reading: Exodus 33:18-19; Exodus 34:5-7
Fulfilling Our Theme For 2024: “Building The Highway And Lifting The Banner”
“And in that day, there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him…. (therefore) Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples!” [Isaiah 11:10, Isaiah 62:10]
Women In Tune | QUIVER | Cedars House Christian (International)