Colossians 1:9 That is why we keep on talking to God about you since the day we heard about you. We ask him that you may know everything he wants you to do. We ask him that you may be very wise and that the Spirit will help you to understand.
10 We ask him that you will live the way the Lord wants you to live, so that you will please him in everything you do. We ask that you will do everything that is good. We ask that you will see the fruit from what you do. We ask that you will know more and more about God.
11 God has wonderful power. And we ask him to give you all the strength you need to go through all your troubles,to be very patient in them, and to be happy.
12 Thank the Father who has made us ready to be with the people of God who live in his light.
Day 7—Some unusual insights come forth in Paul’s Letter to the Colossians. |
As we move on, gently and with much left to be said, we find some unusual insights popping out in this letter from Paul to the people he only knew as fellow believers. It’s really amazing that he could write to them as he did, having had no personal contact with them. But now, as I think on this—though by no means do I compare myself with Paul—I am writing to most of you with the same sort of relationship. I know hardly any of you personally. But, I do feel I know you with a spiritual intimacy that can only be brought about by the Holy Spirit.
Let’s take note again of what Paul wrote in Colossians 1:9-11. What a rich string of words! Just to keep us on track, let us see verse 9 by itself.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding...
See this verse with me as translated from the Received Text of the Greek New Testament. Its words are rich, oh, so rich! For this cause we also, from the day we heard, do not cease praying and asking that you might be filled with the acknowledgment of His desire, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
The word understanding comes from the Greek sunesis and carries with it the meaning of being able to put matters together, matters that could otherwise leave us floundering as we try to walk in God’s will. We really do need the understanding that only the Holy Spirit can give as we walk in God’s ordained will. Thus, we pray.
DEAR FATHER, it is my strongest desire to live my life in the most perfect expression possible of what You want for me. However, I’m often faced with the impossibility of fulfilling Your will. Much of what You seem to want from me I don’t understand. But I’m beginning to learn from Jesus that You will do through me whatever You want. Thank You, loving Heavenly Father.
It’s God Who works in us to perform His will.—Philippians 2:12-16
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