Colossians 1:9-12

A prayer for understanding

Paul’s persistent longing was that the Colossians would flourish in their faith, being solidly grounded in the truth of God’s grace in the Lord Jesus Christ. This longing produced a prayer request that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will.

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,” v.9

Notice that this is something God would do for them rather than something they must scrounge for themselves. God is very ready to give, and He can help those who are willingly cooperative. This knowledge that Paul requests for them is intensified in two ways: the word itself denotes precisely correct knowledge and it is to be assisted by spiritual wisdom.

Paul wants them to grow beyond knowing the raw commands of God to understand their reasoning and spirit, to engage with His will with close personal involvement and experience. He wants it to fill every aspect of their thinking and bless every area of their activity.

Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge to choose the best goals, working by the best approach and moved by the best motives. Discernment for those choices must come as a gift from God.

For example, we may know the command to love our neighbor but lay upon ourselves an idealistic, perfectionistic burden of what we think the sacrifice of love entails. Human wisdom might take martyrdom and exhaustion as some sublime level of spirituality. But such performative exhibitionism is not love but is just the sin of pride. Look at me I’m so wonderful in how I sacrifice for you. Aren’t you impressed? I’m sure God is.

The fact is that there is more good to do in the world than any one person can do. Each of us must do the good that God has laid out for us. So love your neighbor or spouse or child seeking the wisdom and guidance of God to know exactly what love means at each moment. He will lead and also enable: “strengthened with all power.” v.11

“so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” v.10

The purpose of Paul’s prayer and the result of it being granted would be that they walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, entering the fullness of pleasing Him. God’s majesty and His grace pull us into a relationship with our wonderful Creator. Knowing His will, being filled with His wisdom, and knowing God personally lead to a desirable life.

This path of life is fitting for one in such a relationship. It’s a life of gratitude and purity that flourishes in healthy spirituality. This life brings fruitfulness in blessing others with our service. It also ushers us into a deeper and more intimate knowledge of our Savior. The strength to walk this path is energized by the power of the Almighty. It’s His gracious gift to us to rescue us from selfishness and lead us along the path of proper spiritual functioning.

“strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” vv.11,12

His power enables us to carry the load laid out for us with persistence. And His power enables us to not react in anger when troubles and adversity are part of the picture.

As this lavish grace is operative in our lives, it leaves us joyful and grateful to our heavenly Father. He has adopted us and made it our firm inheritance to be holy ones who dwell in the light – free from the darkness of sin which once ravaged our lives.

Pray this prayer for yourself. Pray it for those you love. Anticipate the power of God and the wisdom of God to restore your soul, lifting you into a life you will welcome – a life you will be astounded by.

Pursuit of wisdom for today from the Ancient of Days

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