Day 148, Year 1

The People of Knowledge Increase in Power

“A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power.” (Proverbs 24:5 NASB)

“Behold, God is mighty, But despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.” (Job 36:5 NKJV)

“If you are slack in the day of distress, Your strength is limited.” (Proverbs 24:10 NASB)

The word “power” in the first verse and “strength” in the second and third verses are all koach in Hebrew. It refers to the supernatural divine power (Exodus 9:16), including the courage of God’s people to overcome distress (Proverbs 24:10), and strength derived from wealth. Indeed, spiritual wealth empowers us with strength. The verse refers to a kind of spiritual knowledge that connects to God’s wisdom and His power (Job 36:5).

Generally speaking, the increase in practical knowledge and wisdom empowers people to face and solve problems with greater inner strength, confidence, and strategies. There is a well-known saying that goes, “knowledge is power.” Spiritual knowledge has an additional dimension—it can continually strengthen and draw us closer to God, enabling us to receive and share His knowledge, wisdom, and power. Some believers have experienced that as we possess more spiritual and useful knowledge, our spiritual strength also increases. This is because spiritual knowledge can be accumulated and connected with God’s wisdom, and it can continuously consolidate our inner strength as we connect with Him to receive heavenly help. Indeed, some believers encounter setbacks due to having trust in inaccurate, incomplete, or insufficient spiritual knowledge. Besides, the final verse of today indicates that God’s people should not faint in times of adversity, for fainting entails a lack of strength.

Indeed, the previous devotionals were meant to point out the essence of life for receiving God’s salvation. This essence is about our choices, mentality, and the operating principles regarding the spiritual world. Jesus’ salvation is the greatest miracle. Those who receive it will find our inner strength increasing, for we understand the truth of the Lord’s redemption. Over these past many days, I wonder if the readers have gained more spiritual knowledge and wisdom, and subsequently gotten closer to God. The growing knowledge and confidence in God’s words prepare us to experience the fruit of salvation more, overcome various difficulties, as well as to receive and perform various miracles of God.

Reflection questions:

1) Do you think your spiritual knowledge and faith are steadily growing? If not, what might be the problems, and how would you rely on the Lord to resolve them?

2) In times of adversity, are you usually courageous or do you tend to fear? If it is the latter, how could you be strengthened through God in times of need?