Posted on 01/23/2020 6:18:18 AM PST by metmom
"[I pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Eph. 1:17).
Your inheritance in Christ is so vast and profound that you cannot comprehend it apart from God’s enabling.
The late newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst invested a fortune in collecting great works of art. One day he read of an extremely valuable work that he determined to add to his collection. His agent searched the galleries of the world but to no avail. Finally, after many months of effort and at great expense, the agent found the prized art work: it had been stored in one of Hearst's own warehouses all along!
That story parallels Christians who are constantly searching for something more because they don't understand what they already have in Christ. Since Paul knew that was a potential problem, he prayed for God to enable us to comprehend our spiritual riches.
"Spirit" in verse 17 refers to a disposition or attitude of humility, such as, "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Matt. 5:3). "Revelation" is knowledge that God imparts through His Word. "Wisdom" is the application of that knowledge to daily living. The combined effect is a humble attitude toward God's Word that compels you to learn it and integrate it into every aspect of your life.
On the human level the fullness of your inheritance in Christ is incomprehensible. God's Word reveals many of its benefits and the Holy Spirit empowers you as you learn to live according to its principles, but much of it will remain a mystery in this life (1 John 3:2). Paul's prayer is that you will understand as much as possible so that godly wisdom and revelation will govern all your attitudes and actions. Let that be your goal today.
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank God for the incomprehensible riches that are yours in Christ. Pray that you might always approach His Word with a submissive and teachable heart.
For Further Study
Reviewing God's promises motivates praise and reminds us of His gracious provisions. Read the following passages, noting the promises they contain: Psalm 29:11; Isaiah 26:3; 41:10; Matthew 6:25-33; John 14:2- 3, 13-14; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 John 1:9; 5:11-12; Revelation 21:3-4. Study your life. Does it demonstrate confidence in God's promises?
Studying God’s Word ping
Thank you
I very much see this world as analogous to The Matrix or a “reality” video game. It is a created construct out of pretty much nothing. And God created it and by his will the atoms stay warm.
And I see it when I watch a beautiful butterfly light on a blade of grass while mowing. Or watch tomatoes grow wild from last year’s dropped tomatoes. Or the miracle of human consciousness and our God given ability to use his creation to produce engines, computers, and most importantly, our ability to enjoy the beauty of what He has created. I give him the glory for all of it.
AMEN!!!!
One day — many years ago — I prayed for Wisdom.
Nothing happened. Years passed.
Then, on another day, those years later, Something Happened. (Not important what. Never mind.)
Very recently, while watching one of those “Planet Shows” on the Science Channel, I was struck by the idea that we ARE capable of comprehending that we are NOT ABLE to comprehend “the Universe, and everything,” and for that day forward one can be comfortable in Knowing that one does not Know — and that’s fine, and all well and good.
I hope that makes some sort of sense....
2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
I’ve always wondered why the Evolutionists stick with the animal kingdom.
When ‘life’ sprang from the primordial goo; was it animal or vegetable to begin with?
Did one ‘evolve’ from the other or were there TWO lines of ‘advancing evolution’ to follow?
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