“As we are approaching the end of this age, we will come to see that those things which are to be shaken shall be removed and only those things which are not to be shaken shall remain. May we therefore seek for things unshakable which come through the spirit of wisdom and revelation.”[i]
Recently we began an all Church Bible Study called Experience Life by Pete Briscoe. In the week two study, we are challenged to develop and deepen our relationship with Jesus by committing ourselves to spending time with Him, becoming more the person He desires us to be. “Discipleship requires Discipline” “We have a new life in Christ – a relationship with our living Lord!” Just as when we meet a new friend, we want to get to know them better, we do this by spending time with them – talking, learning about them, their past, their likes, their dislikes, etc. “For the Christian, isn’t that what spiritual growth really is – getting to know Jesus better, communicating with Him, learning what He likes and doesn’t like, and adapting our lives to His?”
In a video teaching during this weeks lesson, Mr. Briscoe gave us a 60 day challenge that involved Bible reading and journaling. His suggestion, since this particular teaching is using the Book of Ephesians, why not read one chapter of the Book each day during this week and journal our thoughts and insights. And so I began.
Day One – Assignment – Read Ephesians Chapter One and journal my thoughts and insights. And that is as far as my week got!! This picture is my Bible opened to Ephesians Chapter One. I’ve read and studied the Book of Ephesians many times.
But this time a single verse jumped off the page, grabbed a hold and wouldn’t let me go – Ephesians 1:17
“I 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.” Ephesians 1:17 NIV
A second read in a different translation showed me this…
“[I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son].” Ephesians 1:17 AMP
“… that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight…”
That is what captured me and I had to know more.
Wisdom – we all know what wisdom is, though sometimes it’s hard to put it into words. We know what it is to be wise. I wrote a story called “I Want to Be a Wise Woman”. I get it… or so I thought. I had to dig deeper. What does God want me to do with this verse?
I did some digging of other learned teachers to get their thoughts on wisdom. Here is a bit of what I’ve come up with.
“The word “wisdom” in this verse is from the Greek word sophias. It is an old Greek word that was used to describe insight or wisdom not naturally attained. In other words, this is not natural human wisdom — this is special insight.
The word “revelation” is from the word apokalupsis. It refers to something that has been veiled or hidden for a long time and then suddenly, almost instantaneously, becomes clear and visible to the mind or eye. It is like pulling the curtains out of the way so you can see what has always been just outside your window. The scene was always there for you to enjoy, but the curtains blocked your ability to see the real picture. But when the curtains are drawn apart, you can suddenly see what has been hidden from your view. The moment you see beyond the curtain for the first time and observe what has been there all along but not evident to you — that is what the Bible calls a “revelation.”[ii]
When I look at that definition of the word Revelation within the sphere of spiritual truths, I can see the millions of truths still hidden or veiled from my view; as if God has said, not yet daughter, not yet… it is not time for these truths to be revealed to you.
“It is a fact that truths remain hidden until God chooses to reveal them to us. This is why Paul prayed for God “to give” the Ephesian church a spirit of wisdom and revelation.”[iii] Perhaps in revealing this verse, one that I’ve read many times, to my eyes and heart this week is Holy Spirit’s way of showing me that there is so much more to see and learn and understand, and it is time to go deeper.
It has taken me days to see and understand what that single verse meant and why it stayed with me for so long. I see now that it is time for me to pray and study and await the time that Holy Spirit will begin to pull back the veil that is blocking my view and reveal His Spiritual Truths.
In His Word, God has given us all the answers we believers need to all of life’s questions. On our own, we might never have the wisdom and knowledge to figure it all out. In this verse, we see Paul beseeching God to convey to them the wisdom they needed to seek and understand the truth. And that they would know that this kind of Spiritual Wisdom comes on from God by revelation
If you need direction and guidance today, stop right now and pray Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:17 for your own life. Ask God to give you “a spirit of wisdom and revelation.” I know that God and His Word have all the answers that I need for my life – current and future. Where I feel I am lacking is direction – Lord, what would you have me do today? What shall I read? What shall I write? What shall I study?
My prayer – Father God, I am in need of guidance and direction in what You would have me do. I ask that you would impart Spirit wisdom and revelation into my life. There is so much that I want to know and accomplish, but I am not able to figure it out on my own. Lord, I ask that Holy Spirit would come at this time to guide me in this journey of discovery as the veil is removed and my view is made clear; that I would see with new eyes exactly what I need to see. I ask for a fresh revelation about my life and my ministry. Reveal to me the truths I need to know. I pray this in the name of Your Son Jesus. Amen!
Note: Emphasis, highlighting and formatting features placed on Biblical Scriptures are solely the actions of this writer and are used to set apart the text to the reader.
Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Unless otherwise noted, scriptural references are from the NIV – New International Version© Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Graphic ©Ann C Cuddy 2018
EndNote:
[i] The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation, Watchman Nee, Christian Fellowship Publishers, 1980 (Translators Preface)
[ii] https://renner.org/spirit-of-wisdom-and-revelation-for-you/
[iii] IBID
Saved Because of His Mercy 