The Daily Word: Friday, August 20th, 2021
Esther 8:1-10:3
1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13
Psalm 37:1-11
Proverbs 21:23-24
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. – 1 Cor. 12:31
In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul outlines nine spiritual gifts:
…for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. – 1 Cor. 12:8-11
On the surface, the passage seems to encourage passivity. After all, the Spirit distributes spiritual gifts to each one “as He wills.” Why would I contend in prayer for something if the Lord doesn’t see fit to distribute it to me without my asking? Some read the passage above and think that you have no choice as to what God gives you. As I tell my kids: you get what you get, and you don’t get upset! Your job is to use the skill set with which God has naturally blessed you, never desiring any more.
But not so fast! Verse 31 tells us to “earnestly desire” the best gifts. What you “earnestly desire” will determine what you see in your life! Do you really want to see healings? Earnestly desire gifts of healings. Does your heart cry out for miracles? Earnestly desire the working of miracles. If you earnestly desire spiritual gifts, God will show you a “more excellent way.” He will show you what it means to exercise all the spiritual gifts He has promised to you! He will show you what it means to live without limits. He will show you that you don’t have to wait and wonder why God didn’t bless you with more or different spiritual gifts; you get to earnestly and persistently pray for the things you don’t yet see in your life and expect God to make them manifest!
God doesn’t want you to just sit back and take whatever life throws at you. He wants you to contend for what His word says is yours in prayer! Earnestly desire the best gifts. Earnestly desire the spiritual gifts you have yet to see activated in your life! If you want to see it in your life, you first have to cultivate a healthy desire for it in your faith. And as you ask God to bless you with more than you have ever experienced before, He will show you a “more excellent way.”
Prayer:
Father, thank You for showing me a more excellent way! I don’t have to settle for some spiritual gifts; I get to earnestly desire that I will see them all. I pray that Your Holy Spirit would move through me in a powerful way like never before, in Jesus’ name!
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.