The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelatio

Here in New England we are accustomed to a variety of inclement weather patterns: hurricanes, northeasters, blizzards and heat waves. While living in England we would often experience what we called, 'pea soupers'; periods of thick fog. The fog would be so dense that we literally would not be able to see 5 feet in front of our faces. Traffic would come to a standstill. On one occasion, we were driving back from a meeting in Devon and had to open the front doors of the car to verify that we were still on the road as we inched along!

The Scriptures remind us that we ourselves do not have a clear picture of spiritual realities. There are internal and external blinding forces that keep us in a fog when it comes to true spirituality. A person can be worldly wise when it comes to making a living but lack the basic wisdom to learn how to live. We look in the mirror and get only a dim reflection of the spiritual beings that we are. When it comes to perceiving the spiritual realm around us, we are blinded by the 'god of this age' (2Corinthians 4:4). The adversary of our souls, throws a smokescreen to obscure the landmarks of truth that would help us find our bearings. A person could be an expert in their natural field of study, having demonstrated great academic prowess, yet be totally out of their depth when it comes to a discussion of spiritual matters.

The Apostle Paul writes, "Concerning the things of the Spirit, I would not have you be ignorant." (1Corinthians 12:1). Many are buying into a pretend-spirituality. They are hoarding up books and paraphernalia, sharing stories of angels and paranormal experiences and exploring mysticism of all sorts. They are thirsting to contact the supernatural in such a way as to give their lives meaning and direction. But are they in a knowing-relationship with the God of the Bible who reveals Himself 'Sonwise'? (see Hebrews 1:1-2). There is a bridgeless gulf, that separates human beings from God. "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." (Isaiah 59:2 NASB). Apart from the person and work of Jesus (lit. 'God to the rescue') the Christ (the appointed bridge to life), we would be without hope. May are perilously stepping out in the fog presuming that there is a bridge underneath their feet that will prevent them from falling into an abyss.

God has a way to break through the fog. Jesus said that He would send the Spirit of truth to guide his disciples into all truth. He breaks through the fog with the necessary spiritual intelligence to enable us to be victorious in life's battles. He bears witness to the saving person and work of Christ and teaches us how to live our lives in a way that will please God (John 16:13;14:26;15:26).

Peter Marshall, a former chaplain of the US Senate, was profoundly effected when God spoke directly to his spirit on a dark, foggy night. Walking back from a nearby village to Bamburgh, he struck out across the moors, thinking he would take a short cut. He knew that there was a deep deserted limestone quarry close by Glororum Road, but thought he could avoid that danger spot. Suddenly he heard the voice of someone call, "Peter!..." There was a great urgency in the voice. He stopped and called out, "Yes, who is it? What do you want?" There was silence. Thinking he must have been mistaken, he walked on a few paces. Then he heard the voice again, more urgently, "Peter!..." He stopped dead in his tracks still trying to peer into that impenetrable darkness. He suddenly stumbled and fell to his knees. Putting his hand out to catch himself, he found nothing there. As he cautiously investigated, he found that he was on the very brink of the stone quarry's precipice. One further step would have sent him plummeting to a certain death.

God threw Peter Marshall a life-line. Jesus is not only a life-line to save us from the eternal disaster of stumbling into the bottomless pit of separation from God, but He proves to continually be a life-line by daily calling out to us by His Spirit. Ask His Spirit to teach you today, praying as the psalmist: "Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Thy law." (Psalm 119:18 NASB). Let the Spirit guide you, remind you, and bear witness to the truth of Jesus, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3).

May the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation disperse any paralyzing fog by giving you a greater knowledge of Christ (Ephesians 1:17).