Hello and welcome to Walking With Christ. I'm Jeremy, and I really appreciate you downloading this devotional today. These devotionals are just a short time we set aside to reflect on a portion of Scripture, and we do that contextually, thoughtfully, and prayerfully. Our goal is not only to understand God's Word just a little bit better, but also to apply it and to let it shape how we live, think, and walk with Christ each and every day. Today, in our exposition of Colossians, we're examining chapter 1, verse 9, and looking at what it means to have spiritual wisdom and understanding. We'll be reading from the ESV, and again, if you have your Bible, it's Colossians 1, verse 9. Paul writes there, And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Now, this verse is part of a discourse that spans through verse 12, so we'll just look at the first part of Paul's statement here. For context, when Paul says, from the day we heard, he is likely referring to when a papyrus brought news of the situation in the Colossian church to Paul's attention. He commended the church for their faith in Christ and their love of the saints, and he prayed for them to grow in these areas. As we saw in our introduction to Colossians, this letter was not written to address a ton of sin and doctrinal issues in the church, but instead likely to help believers overcome some of the cultural influences and misguided beliefs that the young church suffered with. In any case, Paul reminds the church that we, and that would be Paul and his companions, likely including Timothy and Epaphras, have not ceased to pray for you. It goes without saying that most people like to be prayed for. Even unbelievers sometimes ask for prayer, which is an interesting testament to the truth of Romans 1 verse 20. Christians covet prayers because we know that God hears the petitions of His saints, and in some miraculous way, these prayers are woven into God's perfect eternal plan, even if the answer isn't what we want or expected. Paul prayed specifically that the believers would be filled with the knowledge of His, God's will, in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. This is a wonderful prayer, and one of the few that Scripture teaches will always be answered in the affirmative. James 1 verse 5 tells us, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. This promise's stipulation is that one must ask in faith, and we see that in the next verse, James 1 verse 6. But otherwise, it seems God is pleased to give wisdom to all who humbly ask. Paul no doubt asked in faith, and I personally believe that God would have given the knowledge of His will and spiritual wisdom to the Colossian church. As in doing so, it would not only make them stronger in the faith, but would also help them hold fast to the truth, bear more fruit, and bring greater glory to the Father and the Son. We too should be praying for this. It's tempting to keep our prayers focused on earthly matters like health and healing and safe travels and financial resources and all that stuff. And there is nothing inherently wrong with asking for those things if they are tagged with, Father, Your will be done. But, we should also be asking for spiritual wisdom and understanding, for both ourselves and for others, with, as James charged, a firm belief that God will give it abundantly. The knowledge of God's will and spiritual wisdom and understanding allow us to discern right from wrong, to hold on to truth, to bear more fruit in our walk, and to understand Scripture more deeply. It helps us love others more genuinely, and it helps us bless God more richly. And if we can be sure that God will generously give it when it's requested in faith, why wouldn't we be asking Him for it? Well, thank you again for spending just a few minutes with me in God's Word. As you go about the rest of your day, remember what Paul wrote in Colossians 2, verse 6. Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. Until next time, keep walking with Christ.