A Verse
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.
A Comment
In verse 17, we find Paul asking God for the Holy Spirit to be active in the lives of the members of the church in Ephesus to grant wisdom and revelation according to His nature. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, but not just some mere wisdom or general knowledge. No. In this passage, Paul has the wisdom and revelation of God in mind. Paul is not asking for the Holy Spirit to be given to the church again. These Christians, according to Ephesians 1:13, have already been sealed by the Holy Spirit. They belong to Christ as a result of the Holy Spirit’s initial work in their salvation. So, when Paul prays for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to be given to the church in Ephesus, he is thinking about the continuing presence and work of the Holy Spirit in their lives to bring the people to a deeper, more intimate knowledge of God. Paul is praying that Holy Spirit would continue to illuminate the “eyes of their hearts” in keeping with the “knowledge of God.”
A Prayer
O’ LORD, as the apostle Paul prayed, so this morning, we pray as well: give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that we might know You better. Eternal life is to know You. Grant this today, by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Blessing
Now Yahweh, Maker of heaven and earth,
the keeper of Israel, your keeper,
go before you in your darkness,
stand beside you in your fears,
and hold you up in your sorrows until Jesus comes. Amen.
from Grace Be with You: Benedictions from Dale Ralph Davis
The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation