Ephesians 1:15-23 Paul writes....
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 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. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every namethat is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
"...the Spirit of wisdom and revelation..." The only way for the Lord to give one the Spirit of wisdom, they first must have the desire in their heart to learn more about His Word. All believers should have such a desire. Unfortunately, many do not. Many are content with going to church and allowing the pastor to give them wisdom. What about the pastors who don't seek out the Lord's wisdom? What type of teaching/preaching are they giving to their congregations? Many pastors are happy to keep people in the church so they say whatever the people want to hear. That is not a true pastor. A true pastor seeks a Spirit of wisdom not only for themselves but for the people. Matthew Henry writes about this passage...
"Even true believers greatly want heavenly wisdom. Are not the best of us unwilling to come under God's yoke, though there is no other way to find rest for the soul? Do we not for a little pleasure often part with our peace? And if we dispute less, and prayed more with and for each other, we should daily see more and more what is the hope of our calling, and the riches of the Divine glory in this inheritance. It is desirable to feel the mighty power of Divine grace, beginning and carrying on the work of faith in our souls. But it is difficult to bring a soul to believe fully in Christ, and to venture its all, and the hope of eternal life, upon his righteousness. Nothing less than Almighty power will work this in us. Here is signified that it is Christ the Saviour, who supplies all the necessities of those who trust in him, and gives them all blessings in the richest abundance. And by being partakers of Christ himself, we come to be filled with the fulness of grace and glory in him. How then do those forget themselves who seek for righteousness out of him! This teaches us to come to Christ. And did we know what we are called to, and what we might find in him, surely we should come and be suitors to him. When feeling our weakness and the power of our enemies, we most perceive the greatness of that mighty power which effects the conversion of the believer, and is engaged to perfect his salvation. Surely this will constrain us by love to live to our Redeemer's glory."
Dear Jesus,
Today many pastors went into the pulpit with the goal of pleasing people when instead they needed to be pleasing You. Oh how I pray for them to come to the realization that You are the One to please. My prayers are for their eyes to be opened to the Truth. May they be in Your Word seeking more wisdom. Lord, tomorrow is Monday and for many pastors it is a day where they decide to give up pastoring. How I pray for those who are discouraged to find Your peace. How I pray for those ready to give up to find Your strength to continue on. Lord, may You empower them with Your Spirit. May they receive a revelation from You that will change their live. May You fill them with more of You to the point of them overflowing. Thank You Jesus for being My Revelation. Amen.
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