Dear Ones:
We have all heard the phrase, “Seeing is believing.” Spiritually speaking, this is also true. Most folk who do not believe in Christ today are not looking, not seeking. They, for the most part, do not want to “see.” And yet, Scripture is so clear: “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13) Jesus said basically the same thing: “Seek and ye shall find…he that seeketh, findeth.” (Matt. 7:8) However, we might say at this point: I am looking but I am not “seeing.” I believe the Apostle Paul has the answer to this matter.
Though Paul, in one of his letters, was writing to the Christians at Ephesus, he gave them two prayers to pray, the principles of which apply to all. Now, in doing this, he unveils the ways of God, and how God meets us where we are, both in attitude of heart and mind, and in the place of our searching. The first prayer is a prayer for “revelation.” In that petition Paul is imploring the Father that He give the Holy Spirit in a specific way to those who pray. He is called, “…the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” in the knowledge of Him (Christ.) His title reveals to us that God, by His Spirit, is indeed the One who unveils truth to us, who brings to light that which is hidden and unperceived. Simply put, He GIVES light to those who truly ask, seek Him. Secondly, we come to the issue of having the “strength to believe.” In Isaiah we read, “…and to them that have no might, He increaseth strength.” (Is. 40:29) Paul brings us face to face again with the matter of specific prayer…this time for strength. In chapter 3, his prayer is for the Ephesians “…to be strengthened with might BY HIS SPIRIT in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts BY FAITH.” (v.16-17) What is he saying here, and why is he praying in this manner? Again, though he is writing to Christians, the need is also prevalent in the unbeliever, if he would have the capacity, enablement, strength, to believe. Hence, the appeal is to the only One who can GIVE the strength to believe the “revelation.” That revelation is the unveiling of the truth that is Christ, and in Him. It is as Wesley so clearly declared: “…Power into strengthless souls He speaks, and life into the dead.”
So, today, let us ask God, and trust Him, to give us the revelation of Himself in and through His word, but also, in the circumstances in which we live. But let us not stop there, with knowledge of the truth. Let us ask Him for the strength to believe Him fully, to take Him at His word, stand on the promises, and live a life of expectancy and hope. And let us base every petition on this: He is faithful (He cannot lie…) who said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.”
Love, Dad