Ask Him!

In the first chapter of Ephesians, after explaining God’s plan of redemption and it’s affect upon those who believe in Christ (verses 1-14), Paul writes a beautiful prayer of intercession (verses 15-23). His request, in summary, is that his audience (and we who would later come to faith) would gain spiritual understanding.  His desire is that we would know God better and understand His great love towards us.  Paul then prays for an impartation of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.

In Colossians 1:9-10, Paul is also praying for believers to receive (and grow in) spiritual understanding. And once again, he prays for an impartation of the Holy Spirit.  His request is that God would fill them,   ‘with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding’, which can only be revealed by the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.

In both passages Paul speaks of the fervency of his prayer, with statements like, ‘we have not stopped praying for you’ and ‘I keep asking…’. 

In Colossians, he goes on to say that this spiritual understanding (impartation) is necessary in order for us to:   

 §         Live meaningful, productive lives

    §         Grow deeper in our understanding and knowledge of God

    §         Be strengthened to endure the hardships of this life with patience, and

    §         Live joyful, thankful lives.

I think of how deeply I desire these attributes in my life and how so often I’ve tried to accomplish these things in my own strength or my own way.  How liberating it is to know that for me to have the meaningful life I so greatly desire, all I need do is to ask Him.  No more trying to be nice in my own strength, or trying to be patient by ‘gutting out’ difficult seasons. And how dangerous it is to strive after wisdom without Him?  James 3: 13-17 states,

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.  This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

God’s wisdom cannot be manufactured or obtained through human will.  To be the best we can possibly be, to receive the fullness of this life we’ve been given, we must, ask Him!  To endure the hardships of life with patience and understanding, we must ask Him! 

So why not take some time to do just that?  Ask Him.  Ask Him to ‘fill you with the knowledge of His will’.  And ask Him to ‘give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation’.  Ask Him for more of the Holy Spirit. Just ask Him.  He’ll add productivity to your life!  Ask Him.  He’ll add a deeper understanding and knowledge of Himself to your life!  Ask Him.   He’ll add patience, strength and tenacity to your life!  Ask Him.  He’ll give you joy, His joy!  Ask Him.  He’ll give you more of His Spirit!  Ask Him!

And if Paul continued to ask, then I will do that as well!  Ask Him!