Experiencing God's Presence #324

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

Wisdom, from a biblical perspective, is the ability to apply God’s truth to life’s situations. Revelation, on the other hand, is the knowledge that comes directly from Him that may or may not make sense to the natural mind. And we desperately need both.

God makes it clear that human wisdom is foolishness to Him, and His wisdom is foolishness to the natural human mind (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). We need the thought processes that tune us in to the truths of heaven. But He also makes it clear that we have the mind of Christ, a state of revelation that imparts God’s truth to us apart from common sense and natural reasoning (1 Corinthians 2:16). We need to see the reality of things above, the heavenly perspective that gives us a picture of supernatural power, of angels and demons, of the big-picture plan that hurtles toward a final unveiling of the Son of God and those He calls His own. Without a picture of the throne room of God and the purposes He has ordained, we won’t know the direction of history or the power of His promises. But without the wisdom that comes from above, we won’t be able to apply His purpose in real-life situations. We’ll default to human reasoning and limit His works. We need a mind (wisdom) and a heart (revelation) that comprehend the purposes of God.

Seek wisdom and revelation—the thoughts of God and the visions of God. Ask for the eyes of your heart to be enlightened with truth from above. Make this prayer the cornerstone of your thought life, the centerpiece of your internal conversations with God. And let your life be guided from above.

Lord, I need to have Your mind. I also need to see Your Kingdom. Give me wisdom and revelation to discern what Your Spirit is doing in every situation around me.

From the book