Pray for discernment (1)
2021-12-181 Chronicles 12:32 NCV
William Orton, the president of Western Union, rejected an offer to buy the patents for the first telephone. The University of Southern California’s film school rejected an application (possibly several times) from Steven Spielberg. The technology company HP was offered the design of the first Apple computer, but chose not to take it up. What did all of these people and organisations have in common? They showed a lack of discernment and missed some great opportunities as a result.
When it comes to seeing life’s opportunities and solving life’s problems, we need discernment. It enables us to see what others don’t, fill in the missing pieces, and get to the heart of the matter. If we can see the root cause of a problem, we have a much better chance of solving it. That means when we stay in the area of our core gifts, our discernment will be stronger. So if we want to tap into our discernment potential, we should try to work from the areas of our strengths and giftings.
But there’s something else we can do: pray for discernment. It’s one of the nine ‘gifts of the Spirit’ promised to us in Scripture (see 1 Corinthians 12:7-10). Some of Israel’s greatest victories were won when David was king. And when we take a look at some of those who were part of his army, we read, ‘There were two hundred leaders from Issachar. They knew what Israel should do, and they knew the right time to do it.’
Discernment enables us to see doors of opportunity where others can only see brick walls. It will show us what we should do. So let’s ask God for the gift of discernment.