Luke 2:52 // Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
It is a common fact and truth that everything that is healthy will grow. This doesn’t just apply to natural things around us like plants and animals, but it applies to our lives as well. Our bodies and minds are always growing at the rate of our self-care. The better we treat them, the better we are.
One attribute as believers that we always want to be growing is our wisdom. From the moment we become a child of God, we are on a path of growth, and that growth is strengthened by the wisdom we have in God. What we began as a diet of milk should soon become a one full of solid food. The more we spend time with Christ, the more He is formed inside of us, and the more everything concerning our lives becomes transformed.
It’s awesome that Jesus, although equal with God, developed a pattern of growth for us all to follow, where His wisdom and favor grew while here on earth. His wisdom did not just come from within Himself, it came from those He was committed to listen and learn from. The same is true with us. Our journey of growth and wisdom is not only found in the Word of God, but by surrounding ourselves with wise people. In fact, the Bible tells us that we will grow in favor and safety when we have a ‘multitude’ of counselors. Not just a few, but a multitude.
What wisdom are you in need of today? Who are you listening to right now that has achieved what you are trying to achieve?
Jesus grew in stature too, not just physically but in his spirit and soul. Jesus learned to recognize opportunities to take action on. He grew in RESPONSE ability – the ability to respond the right way in the right time. God wants us to mature spiritually and grow in responsibility just like Jesus. We are called to grow up in Christ (Eph. 4:15)
Jesus grew in favor by knowing what pleased The Father. God loves us all the same but His favor can grow in our lives as we live with a sincere desire to do what delights him. It is like my children, I love them all deeply and equally but when they desire to do what I have asked them to do especially when they do it without me having to ask them I am inclined to lavish unexpected favor upon them.
The actions you choose to take today can make all the difference in the world. You can become the person of blessing that God wants you to become just by seeking His wisdom every day.
When you seek His voice and His values, your wisdom increases in every direction. For those of you who are parents, you know that love and obedience from your children can go a long way. When they are committed to doing what you ask of them, you can’t help but to favor them with love and gifts.
Our God is the same way. He loves to provide us with privileges when we begin to show Him that we value what He values, and love what He loves. And when our wisdom grows, we not only grow in our knowledge of Him, our favor with people He wants us to reach and impact will increase as well.
Day 10 of 21 Days of Prayer
*This devotional is from A God First Life, written by Pastors Michael and Charla Turner
