06/25/2026
How do we come to understand the Word of God, and His will for us? Is it by our own intellect, and through diligent study that we are able to piece it together like a puzzle? Do we somehow find the hidden key within it that allows everything to fall into place so that we can stand back from it and marvel at our ingenuity? No, we understand with our hearts, and not our minds. Our minds barely scratch the surface, but our hearts use the keys of our spirits like a scalpel.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 ESV
Many years ago, when I was in elementary school and we were learning how to do long-division I learned a deeper lesson. Day after day I would go to the chalkboard and stand in front of a problem that my teacher had drawn there. I would puzzle over it and try to understand how to solve it, but for the life of me it remained a mystery. I desperately wanted to understand this concept and yet it continued to elude me, and each day I would fail to solve the problem, and she would then lead me, step by step, to the solution.
Then one day I was called forward, and there on the chalkboard was another, and even more daunting, problem. A sense of failure permeated the air and yet I wanted to do this so badly... I stood there for a few moments when suddenly it came to me... at that moment everything became clear and made sense... all the pieces simply fell into place! I picked up the chalk and worked the problem as though it were trivial and then took my seat! The feeling of joy was overwhelming! In that moment of epiphany, I had not consciously done anything different than any of the other times I had stood there at the front of the class, but somehow this time was amazingly different, and understanding came flooding into me. From that moment on I would shoot my hand up into the air whenever the teacher asked if someone wanted to come to the front and solve a problem.
Our understanding of God’s Word and His will for us comes in much the same fashion. How many times have we read the words, and prayed the prayers, but still found ourselves standing empty before the chalkboard of our faith? How many times have we thought in our minds that we understood, only to end up in failure? We have all the pieces... the words and the prayers... yet we engage only our minds, and do not turn to our hearts. We don’t open the one door through which the Holy Spirit can come, and give us inspiration and understanding. We seek God within our own realm and intellect, and miss the fact that He is the one who gives to us. Faith is partially a quest for knowledge, but God provides the discovery. What we think we know turns out to be woefully deficient when compared to what God wants to reveal to us.
“these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:10 ESV
So, as we read, and as we pray we should do so with anticipation; not of our own ability to understand, but in God’s provision of the truth that lies masked from our consciousness within His Word, and by way of our heartfelt prayers. No matter how wise or brilliant we consider ourselves, we are like children before God. We receive a taste of honey on our tongue and say,” I know the fruit of the bee!” Yet we don’t see the layers of comb that are overflowing within the hive.
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV
As human beings we come to conclusions the best that we can, but in our own confidence and trust in what we have discerned, there is always a flaw or something lacking. Only by God’s enlightenment do we see clearly. I read this wonderful statement that was written by Pastor Andrew Murray…listen…
“When your natural understanding grasps a truth from the Word, go before God in dependence and trust. Believe that God can and will make the truth clear and applicable to your life. Persevere in this, and the Holy Spirit will come to your aid and shine His light of understanding into your heart and make the Word the strength of your life.” - Andrew Murray
Are we walking in the dark with only a candle to light our way? Are we satisfied with this bit of wick and tallow that casts a meager light, or are we ready to seek the greater illumination of God? The Holy Spirit takes our tiny light and magnifies it until at last it becomes like the bright light of day.
“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”
Psalms 119:130 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the truth and understanding you provide for me. Thank you Lord for taking the little light of revelation that I manage to glean from your Word, and magnifying it beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you for showing me the depth of the ocean in a seemingly small drop of water, and the height of a glance into the infinite height of the stars. Thank you Holy Father for revealing to me the fullness of your Word in my life and the breadth of your will for me. How amazing you are, and how insignificant am I before you. Open my eyes Gracious Father, and lead me step by step into the wonders of your mystery. Take my hand as I grope and stumble along, so that I can run with you. Show me the true awe in what I once thought was wondrous. Open my heart Holy Father, and let me lean not on my own understanding, but yours instead. Great are you my God, and endless is your amazing inspiration and revelation into your Holy Word. Yes, Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who is my God, the source of all knowledge, and radiance of understanding.
“Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.”
Psalms 119:144 ESV
Then I will shout from my soul, “Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my one true God!”
Amen!
Rich Forbes