Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already)..."
Text: Ephesians 3:3
GOD’S PART IN GIVING REVELATION
How may we understand God’s part in revealing His word to His servants? Of course, God is not restricted in any way. However, man being finite, can only grasp God’s word communicated slowly, a portion at a time.
1. Sometimes He gives “revelation” in the form of “visions”
a) Ezekiel testified of having visions
“I saw visions of God…”
EZEKIEL 1:1
b) The apostle John also spoke of having visions- Revelation 1, 4 etc
c) Paul also spoke of the visions he received
“I will come to visions and revelation of the Lord…”
2 CORINTHIANS 12:1-2
2. At other times, God would simply give a word to His servants
a) Ezekiel
“The word of the LORD came expressly to Ezekiel the priest…”
EZEKIEL 1:3
b) Jeremiah
“Then the word of the LORD came to me…”
JEREMIAH 1:4
c) Paul
“By revelation He made known to me…”
EPHESIANS 3:3
MAN’S PART IN RECEIVING GOD’S REVELATION
Daniel’s example in his interaction with his revelation from God merits careful study.
“I, Daniel, understood by the books
the number of the years specified by the word of the LORD
through the prophet Jeremiah…Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request
by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.”
DANIEL 9:2-3
Two other important principles may be noted:-
1. Make use of existing, relevant portions of the Scriptures
God expects His servants to know what He had already given first.
2. Seeking God for wisdom through supplications and fasting (where necessary)
Daniel desired to comprehend God’s “mysteries” so badly that he entered into a deep fast for the purpose of seeking knowledge and wisdom!