The first petition in this prayer (Ephesians 1:15-21) is that God would give a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. He is not just asking for wisdom and revelation, he is asking for the spirit of it. If we have a spirit of intimidation for example, it is something that we carry with us all the time in our bearing (not suggesting it by the way). Likewise to receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation is to receive something ongoing, something part of our way of living and operating. Wisdom is different from knowledge, and perhaps the clearest way to say it is that knowledge is mostly about facts, whereas wisdom is engage with knowledge is a positive way. And it often comes from the experience of doing it wrong!
The wisdom and revelation that Paul prays for, has to do the “the knowledge of Him” (verse 17). We can understand this in two interrelated ways. I is knowing things about Him, but also knowing Him in the way that we know a person by experience, and by them letting us into their life. The first aspect of this knowledge is found supremely in His Word, the Bible, and we can facilitate the answer to Paul’s prayer by “meditating on it day and night” (Psalm 1:2). Revelation speaks of something not previously known or seen, and the prayer here is for the revelation, the unveiling, both of Biblical truth and of Truth incarnate, Jesus Christ (John 14:6). The two aspects are interrelated because as the truth about Him becomes real in our lives, it enables us to draw closer in intimacy with Him.
When we learn through experience to trust somebody, we learn the fact that they are trustworthy. That knowledge then enables us to draw close to them if we, and they, facilitate it. It is a two way street. God is always willing to do His part. It is of course on His terms, but His terms are always reasonable. He is neither controlling or manipulative. He has given us the gift and responsibility of free will, and He lets the prodigals go! And He has taken the initiative in making it possible for sinful man to draw near to a Holy God in and through the Cross (God so love the world ....). He tells us “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Part of this drawing near is that we are to search for Him with all of our heart (Jeremiah 29:13). It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings to search it out (Proverbs 12:2). He hides for us, not from us. To do this on a daily basis, is to possess a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Father, just as relationships on earth are two way streets, so our relationship with You is a two way street. You will not make up for what we are not willing to do in our drawing near, but You will make up for what we cannot do. And part of our part is to pray and to ask for this as in Paul's prayer. So this morning Lord I pray for myself and all those reading this, that You will give us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You in Jesus Name Amen
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