I’ve watched more news and Weather Channel footage in the past couple of weeks than I’ve seen in months. The devastation brought by Harvey and now by Irma is heartbreaking, shocking, and overwhelming. As I sit in my intact home in Arkansas, which will never see a hurricane, as I shop in grocery stores with fully-stocked shelves and pump gas from stations with higher prices but no long lines . . . I’m reminded of how blessed I am.

And yet, catastrophes such as hurricanes remind us that our material blessings—which are all gifts from God—can be taken from us. If the worst happened and disaster struck, would I still consider myself #blessed?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:3)

My greatest blessings on are not on this earth. Yes, I love and cherish many of the gifts God has given me here—my family and friends, my home, my life. I grieve with those who suffer the loss of these precious gifts, and my purpose in sharing this verse isn’t to minimize or dismiss their pain.

But when we suffer loss or fear potential loss, Ephesians 1:3 reminds us that we have been blessed with something even greater than earthly blessings—we have been given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

These spiritual blessings are freely given, fully paid for, and forever secure.

They are freely given by God’s grace—since we didn’t earn them, our failures don’t cause us to lose them (Ephesians 2:8-9).

They have been fully paid for by Christ’s sacrifice (Romans 5:6-8, 8:1; 1 Peter 2:24).

They are forever secure, kept for us in heaven, where nothing can destroy them (Matthew 6:20, 1 Peter 1:4).

For the next few weeks, we are going to explore the spiritual blessings God gives us in Christ. I can’t wait to dig into Ephesians 1 with you and be encouraged by the blessings of God’s glorious grace.

No matter what you face this week, God has blessed you in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Share