Persistence
Do you thank people much? Do you keep thanking them for the same thing, over and over again? I would think it's not really necessary unless it's for something big. Like if someone were to give you a new car or something. You would probably be thanking them for a while! Yet here, in Ephesians, Paul says he continually gives thanks to God for the faith of the Ephesian church, and he keeps praying the same thing for them - that they will know God better and that they would know they have even more...
Ephesians 1:15-19
15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,...
He continually gives thanks God and he continually prays for them. He is persistent in thanks and persistent in intercession. Why?
Because this is huge. God didn't give them a new car. He gave them new life! He gave them true hope. He gave them the riches of his glorious inheritance. Can we ever stop giving thanks for this ourselves? And what's more amazing, Paul doesn't top giving thanks for what God has done in the lives of others! He is so excited to see the faith of the Ephesians, that he just keeps saying "Thank you God!"
This is perhaps a reminder not only to thank God for the hope and faith he has given you, but also for the faith he has given others. It's not all about me. As you look around the world at other Christians, and you see their faith in action, you see their faith encouraging others, you see their faith helping them to stand firm in difficult times, you see their faith in the way they speak and act... give thanks to God. And do not stop giving thanks. For God's powerful work in us is nothing short of amazing. It is worthy of persistent thanks.
Prayer
Thank you Father for the faith you have given me. And I thank you also for the faith of those believers around me, in my life. For those in my household, for those in my congregation, for those in my growth group, for those at work or school. May we all grow in our knowledge and love of you, and may we know more fully each day the hope and the glorious inheritance that we have because of the Lord Jesus.
Amen.