Besides praying that the Ephesians will come to know God better, Paul continues to pray that they will also know God's ″incomparably great power″ (Ephesians 1:19).

When the apostle visited and stayed in Ephesus for more than two years during his third missionary journey, believers there witnessed ″extraordinary miracles″ done by God through him (Acts 19:11-12). They saw God's power at work. Now, in his prayer, Paul points to even greater manifestations of God's supreme and sovereign power. These have to do with Christ.

Firstly, God's ″mighty strength″ raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1:20). Biblical scholar F. F. Bruce observed, ″If the death of Christ is the supreme demonstration of the love of God, as Paul wholeheartedly believed (Romans 5:8), the resurrection of Christ is the supreme demonstration of his power″.

Secondly, God's amazing power elevated Christ to be seated at His right hand (Ephesians 1:20)-a place of highest honour and authority. Jesus is there now (Romans 8:34), as ″God exalted him to the highest place″ (Philippians 2:9). Think of all the rulers and leaders in history, all the titles that have been given to men, and all the powers in the unseen world; Jesus has been placed in a position of authority above them all (Ephesians 1:21).

Today, these truths continue to bring comfort and encouragement to those of us who have placed our trust in Jesus. We may be suffering from old age or a crippling disease. We may be gripped by extreme poverty or persecution. We may be filled with frustration at a darkening and sinful world. But we have the assurance that the same power that raised and elevated Christ is also operating in our lives (Ephesians 2:4-6). We can close our eyes in death with the quiet assurance that God will keep His promise to raise us from the grave with that same resurrection power (1 Corinthians 6:14), and that even more glorious blessings await us.

We are also reminded that Christ, who is seated on His throne at the right hand of the Father over all authorities and powers, is presently interceding for us (Romans 8:34). He is speaking to the Father on our behalf and for our benefit. The highest authority in the universe loves you and me.