(9) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (10) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; (11) Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; (12) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
It is blessed to observe, how uniformly the Apostle joins prayer with all his spiritual employments. And, as it relates to the Church, it is blessed to observe also what are the chief objects of his prayers for the people, namely, that they might be filled with the knowledge of God's will in Christ; and strengthened with all might in the apprehension of it. Reader! it is a most important discovery, for our direction in going to the throne, to have it always in remembrance, what to pray for; and never to lose sight, at the same time, that it is God the Spirit, who alone can shew, what we should desire; and help us in our infirmities, how to plead for the supply. Romans 7:25. The great evil of the present day is, that few, comparatively speaking, of God's people, have their spirits suitably exercised to apprehend, what will make most for their happiness. The great mass, even of those whom the Lord hath regenerated, and in some measure brought acquainted with the plague of their own heart, are forever looking for a work, supposed to he wrought in them; and are not simply looking to, and depending upon, a work wrought for them. And, though every day's disappointment, shews them the error; yet, it is a long time before that they are fully weaned from it. Reader! mark Paul's prayer for the Church, Strengthened with all might according to his glorious power: not according to our supposed attainments; but the glorious power of Christ, in his finished work, and glory. It is blessed to be thus living upon him, in whom all salvation is found; and in whose Person, the whole Church is beheld complete.
I admire what the Apostle saith, of giving thanks to the Father, both for his original choice of the Church to an inheritance in, and with Christ; and for the translation of the Church as children of his adoption, from the power of darkness, into the kingdom of his dear Son. Depend upon it, the beginnings of the triumphs of faith are found in these things. For, though by regeneration our eyes are opened, to see, and feel sin; and the first joy of the newly awakened soul, is the consciousness, when we are delivered, from darkness to light by Christ; yet, when God the Spirit hath brought us on to see further, and that it was God the Father who by his original choice of the Church in Christ, made us meet to be partakers of an inheritance of the saints in light; here we trace our mercies to the fountain-head, and we cry out with the Apostle: Thanks be unto God, who always ceaseth us to triumph in Christ, 2 Corinthians 2:17.