Ephesians 1:17: The Spirit of Wisdom

Ephesians 1:17
[17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, (ESV)

If you could gain all kinds of new knowledge, what would you want to know?  I have often wished that I knew more about carpentry and how to build things.  Maybe you want to understand the writings of Greek philosophy.  Perhaps, the world of scientific discovery intrigues you.  The Apostle Paul is praying that the church have more wisdom.  But, in what area are we to grow in wisdom?  In what field of study? Because the Apostle Paul loves the Church he prays that God would give us the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.

There is no greater thing that we can know, than to know more about God! Moms and Dads, you might want to catch the importance here.  We can be so adamant about our children doing their schoolwork that we neglect the instruction in the knowledge of God.  Knowing God is far more than knowing Geometry.  I am not suggesting that education of our children in Math, Science, History, etc. is unimportant. I am saying that if they know all those fields of study and do not know God they will be eternally lost, and we will have failed them as parents.

For some of us, we want to know more about God.  We would love for him to reveal more of himself to us.  But, we think that surely that must be too difficult, so we do not try to learn more about him.  In that, we are failing ourselves.  God is not a God who wants to hide himself from us.  Paul is praying for the church at Ephesus, and for us today, that God would give us the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.  So, for starters, Paul is praying for us.  But, the fact is, we are compelled to ask God directly for wisdom.  Listen to the words of the Apostle James:

James 1:5
[5] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (ESV)

God wants us to know him, and to know him more.  If we are lacking in wisdom, all we have to do is ask and we will receive it.  Most importantly, we need to come to the realization that knowing God is far superior to all other kinds of knowledge.

Are you lacking in wisdom?  Do you want to know God more?  He has revealed himself in his Word.  Are you reading it?  He will also give you wisdom if you simply ask.  Have you asked him for wisdom?  Why not ask him right now?