“…and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19 ESV). Paul prayed that the Ephesian believers might know the love of Christ, even though this love surpassed mere human knowledge. He had already prayed that they be strengthened with power through
“Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations” (Isaiah 42:1 ESV). Isaiah introduced the first of the “Servant Songs,” a prophecy of God’s chosen servant who would come to bring justice to the nations. In
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8 ESV). Isaiah wrote these words to Judah when foreign nations like Assyria seemed unstoppable and God’s people felt fragile and forgotten. The prophet reminded them that nations and rulers, like grass and flowers, quickly fade away. Human power
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Galatians 6:1 ESV). Paul reminded the Galatians that the church should be more like a hospital than a courtroom. He described the one “caught in any
“Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert” (Isaiah 35:5–6 ESV). Isaiah foresaw a day when God’s
“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher” (Isaiah 30:20 ESV). Isaiah spoke to a people who had turned away from God, chasing after false alliances and idols. Because of their rebellion, the
“My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” (Galatians 4:19 ESV). Paul had already brought the Galatians to faith in Christ, but now he saw them drifting into religious legalism. With parental tenderness, he described himself as a mother in labor, groaning until Christ
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3 ESV). Isaiah gave this promise to Judah during a time of great political instability, with Assyria threatening their borders and Babylon looming on the horizon. The people were tempted to put their confidence in armies, kings,
“I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open” (Isaiah 22:22 ESV). God declared through Isaiah that Eliakim would replace Shebna as steward over the house of David under King Hezekiah. To place the “key on
“And when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised” (Galatians 2:9 ESV). This meeting in Jerusalem was pivotal in church history.