October 4

Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 108:6-13 | Jeremiah 2:31-4:18 | Colossians 1:1-20 | Proverbs 24:21-22

Today’s Scripture Focus: Colossians 1

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9 NIV).

Paul is thankful and encouraged by the progress of the Colossian Christians. Yet he knows that there is much more that God wants to do in their lives. So he continues to pray for them. The prayer he prays is a powerful one; one that could become a regular part of your prayer life.

He prays for God to fill them with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. If we are to please God and live according to his will, we need the wisdom and understanding that God alone can give by his word and by his Spirit.

The reason he prays this prayer is so that we may “live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way.” We will do this by “bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”

How are we going to live such a life? By the strength and power God gives by His Spirit: “being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might.” Paul knows that bearing spiritual fruit requires spiritual power. That comes only as we walk in the power of the Spirit.

His power brings great endurance and patience and joyful thanksgiving for all that God has done for us. This gives us what we need when times get tough. Endurance and patience are qualities that are especially needed when we go through the trials of life. Thanksgiving is also especially necessary in those difficult times. It takes our eyes off the problems and enables us to put our hope in God and his promises.

Life is filled with difficulties and decisions that require God’s wisdom and strength. This prayer leads us to trust in the one who can give us all that we need to get us through each and every day.

Heavenly Father, fill me with knowledge of your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding  so that I may live a life worthy of the Lord Jesus and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that I may have great endurance and patience, and give joyful thanks to you Father, for you have qualified me to share in the inheritance of your holy people in the kingdom of light. Amen