Q2. (Ephesians 1:4-5) What is scary about predestination?
There is nothing scary about predestination. Infact in my life I can clearly see that everything was predestined and unknowingly Lord made me see the same. I truly believe in Psalm 139:16 "Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed."
What is comforting?
The comforting thing to me is the words of the Lord in Jeremiah 29:11 "For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." What can be more comforting than these words. For I know and can see that my lord is taking great care of me and am sure St Paul must have seen it too during his lifetime.
Why does Paul bring up predestination?
I just think St Paul is reiterating what he believes in and what is stated in scriptures.
Why do you think he praising God for it in the "hearing" of the Ephesians? Like a true lover he believes in praising and exhalting the lord for everything. After all it is stated in Sirach 43:30 "Glorify the Lord and exalt him as much as you can, for he surpasses even that. When you exalt him, summon all your strength, and do not grow weary, for you cannot praise him enough."