God’s kind intention

As I was reading Ephesians 1, one word caught my attention. In Greek, it’s the word, “eudokia.” It’s found in verses 5 and 9, and is translated “good pleasure” in the CSB and “kind intention” in the NASB.

The idea behind it is that God has a good purpose for us. And behind that purpose are God’s kind intentions toward us. It pleases God greatly to do good to us.

Have you ever thought about that? God loves to do good to us. It gives him pleasure to do so.

And that’s the reason for all the spiritual blessings God gives us in Christ.

In his love, he chose us before the creation of this world to be holy and blameless.

He predestined us and adopted us as his children.

In Jesus, he has lavished his grace upon us, pouring it into our lives.

Through Jesus’ blood, we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin.

In him, we have a heavenly inheritance.

Why? Because God has kind intentions toward us. Because it gives him pleasure to do so.

So whatever struggles you may be going through today, remember that.

Look to the cross. Remember the grace you have been given. And remind yourself:

“God has kind intentions toward me.”