The Spirit Of Wisdom

Ephesians 1:15-23 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

I quit my job yesterday morning. I had just celebrated my sixteenth year with the same company, and have seen many changes. What once was a company that centered around people, now revolves solely around the bottom dollar. Changes like that are slow. When you are in the boat with your head down fishing, it can be hard to look up and ask the captain if he knows where we are, or where we’re going. Asking the question and waiting for an answer takes a Spirit of wisdom.

Christians need wisdom. The Apostle Paul, after he hears of the faith and love that the Ephesians have for one another, begins praying for them. They have faith in the Lord Jesus, and love towards other Christians; and Paul says, “yeah, there is evidence of true conversion; now I am going to pray that they might receive the Spirit of wisdom”.

The Spirit of wisdom comes from God. It is a kind of knowledge that enables us to know the riches of our inheritance, the hope of our calling, and the greatness of the Lord’s power towards us who believe. This wisdom enables the eyes of our heart to be enlightened. Simply put, the Lord tells wisdom to walk into the room of the Christians mind and turn the lights on. The eyes squint and water a bit, the pupils adjust, and the Christian sees something he or she did not see before. It can seem so natural, yet Paul tells us this wisdom is supplied by God and comes from one Christian praying for another Christian; of whom may or may not know the lights are off in the room.

My family has been in a continual season of trial and suffering over the past couple of years. Many people have been praying for us, and we are so thankful. But I have been failing to live in obedience to the exhortation from this text. I have had the lights off unable to see those around me who also need prayer. Someone, somewhere has prayed for me I am sure, that I may have the eyes of my heart enlightened to see. My first guess is she is still lying in bed upstairs while I write. What a beloved wife I have. Oh may the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give to each of us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation; so that we might see.