To Know You Better

Verse: Ephesians 1:17
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Devotions
Let’s focus on the last part of this verse today. I’ve read this verse for years and every time this part just hits me right between the eyes.

Why is Paul praying for a Spirit of wisdom and revelation for us? Is he asking so that we can be better leaders? Is he asking so that we can increase our spiritual authority? We need more spiritual gifts, so we can be a stronger witness? Is he asking so we can understand the mysteries of God better? Maybe have better insight into the Scripture so we can fathom deeper truths, maybe sound even more amazing as we talk about what we’ve learned?

No, what Paul shows us here, is something dear to his heart. He lets us see inside the workings of a man fully devoted to Christ. He is praying over and over (“I keep asking”) for a Spirit of wisdom and revelation for one reason: SO THAT WE CAN KNOW JESUS BETTER.

Gut punch.

Oof.

Is this my heart’s desire? Am I asking God to give me a Spirit of wisdom and revelation—not to be smarter, or sound more profound, or to help others—but just so I can know Jesus better? So much of my faith can be about trying to get better, trying to improve, trying to grow, trying to help others…but what’s the center? In all of this the main goal is to know Jesus better.

In all of the good times in life, can I pray for revelation so that they lead me closer to Jesus? In all of the hard times can I pray for wisdom so that they will lead me closer to Jesus? In every situation can I learn to see how God is working to draw me closer to him?

Let that be our prayer today—that we may know him better!

Prayer
God I pray that you would draw me closer to you. I pray for a Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that I could know you better.

Author: Christian Dunn