WISDOM AND SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING FROM GOD

Let’s be clear, every Christian grounded in the Word of God wants his fellow believers to have an intimate awareness of our Savior and grow with a deeper understanding of Him. Saints, we were saved to grow and this week our Devotional team addresses the topic of “Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding from God” taken from a beloved portion of scripture in Colossians 1. Once again, learn these verses and keep them in your pocket, because when you pray the Holy Spirit will bring this verse back to your remembrance, whatsoever He has said unto you.

The outcome of gaining 'wisdom and spiritual understanding from God' is to be able to 'walk' out this life in a God-pleasing manner, daily and increasingly. God Himself equips us for this, suggested strongly by Psalm 23:1, 'Because the Lord is my shepherd I have everything I need.' The relationship that highly appreciates God as God and values His provision as the perfect foundation for all choosing, is the dynamic which insists on 'wisdom and spiritual understanding from God'. This same insistence embraces the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the perfect witness of God's eternal Word above all else. Our calling as spiritually reasonable 'sheep' is to yield to the good Shepherd...or to put it in Psalm 91 terms, to 'dwell' and to 'abide'.

Who can ever imagine sheep which lead the shepherd, or even themselves. It's not in them to do it. They aren't even selective enough to know who to follow. God, as a good Shepherd, must initiate and give the inclination to follow, as well as the inclination to offer along life's journey, that good 'yes' and necessary 'no'. Throughout this freedom we've still the power to choose well, despite an active adversary without, and a contrary voice within. God has invested in Him having some sho' nuff transformed sheep in the world. How might they, and hopefully we, appear to be: They are reasonably content because of the Lord's comprehensive provision for their good. [The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1, NASB]

With perfecting rest, they and we flourish and are receptive to nurturing. Self-discovery in light of God's grace brings revival. [He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. Psalm 23:2-3a]. They are made confident as they are led with assurance, both here and now, and eternally. Fear and worry diminish despite the charms and harms of life on earth. Communion brings life and light. [He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:3b-4]

They will give witness to both the natural and spiritual abundance conferred upon them, being lively and godly. With a Christian gaze life's additions and subtractions will be clarified unto right sympathies. [Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Psalm 23:5] In this life they will leave as evidence, fruitfulness, as a signature of the strength of God's eternal promise. Their hope will be persuasive...their faithfulness, memorable... their glorious dawn, real. [Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6] Yep. Transformed sheep! [not b-a-a-a-d]

Prayer: Thank You Lord for the invitation to live, and to expect such change as to be pleasing to You, in this life and hereafter upon the clear view of the cross, Jesus' work, and the message of the empty tomb. Thank you for surrounding me with others, both leadership and followership, invested in the truth of the gospel, brothers and sisters with whom I co-labour, and am sharpened by, much as metal meeting metal. Thank You for Your Word, and its unveiling by way of Your Spirit. Bless You Father, in Jesus' name. Hallelujah. Amen.
By Bro. McNeal Brockington