Do you understand?
How often have you heard this question or
one of its variants? I have been asked this question in different circumstances
for as long as I can remember. In school, after a teacher has dished out some
complex equation. At work, when my manager wanted a task carried out and wanted
to check that I understood what was expected. Over time, you get to learn that
when you act without understanding, more often than not, you will get it wrong
because it is through understanding that you know what steps to take, and when
you are no longer in alignment with what was asked of you.
Wisdom is the principal thing;
Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get
understanding.
Prov. 4:7 (NKJV), tells us that as
important as it is to be considered wise, you must also get understanding. The
above examples talk about the role understanding plays in the physical realm,
but it is also important in the spiritual realm because it controls the
physical. In Dan. 9:2, the Bible says: “….I, Daniel, understood from the
Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet,
that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years”. In I Chr. 12:32,
the Bible tells us of the sons of Issachar who were in leadership roles,
because they had the power of understanding, and through it, they could guide
the Israelites. In Prov. 3:19 and Prov. 24:3, we see that wisdom and
understanding go hand in hand. With wisdom, you can build, but for it to grow
and thrive, you need understanding.
To get understanding, you must study, and
be observant. As my pastor said, you can stay too long in one spot beyond what
God intended because we don’t read, which is critical to get understanding. It
is in the place of study that Daniel was able to engage the power of
understanding, and once he did, he started to intercede for the Israelites.
When you have understanding, it becomes easier for you to be given the mantle
of leadership. You will also be able to come up with the right strategies for
whatever situation you find yourself in. In Gen. 41:14 – 36, Joseph was able to
utilize this in his interpretation of Pharoah’s dream and that earned him the
role of Prime Minister in Egypt.
You may be wondering why you are
experiencing issues in certain areas of your life. Take a step back to assess
them and study, only then will you be able to engage the power of understanding
to come up with the strategies required to transform things.
P.S. If you would like to listen to my Pastor’s message, you can access it here: Sunday Service - July 14 2024
