Be increased

Increase, blessings, and favor are some of the words we love to see, read, and experience.

God desires us to have all these. Many people in the Bible experienced increase in their lives. For example, Isaac. Genesis 26:12-13 says,

"Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year a hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great."

In 1 Chronicles 4:10, we see another person, Jabez:

"And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested."

Genesis 30:43 (KJV) talks about Jacob:

"And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses."

Each person here received their blessings in different areas of their lives—Jacob in assets, Jabez in territory, and Isaac in the results of the work of his hands. However, Jesus had a totally different kind of increase. Luke 2:52 says,

"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."

Every blessing is in the hands of God and God alone. Proverbs 4:7 says,

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

We need to desire the wisdom that is in Jesus, as it is the principal thing. In His wisdom, He led a life that was blameless—a life submitted to the will of God. Increase in wisdom is the principal thing, first in rank and priority. In His wisdom, He knew how to preach, how to reach out to people, and how to bring them closer to the kingdom of God. In His wisdom, He knew what to speak, when to speak, and when not to speak. His words saved many, protected many, encouraged many, healed many, transformed many, and amazed many.

Dear God, we seek an increase in wisdom, stature, and favor with You and with men, just as we saw in Jesus. Bless us with wise words and wise actions. May we have balanced growth, both physically and spiritually. May we be given the wisdom to keep wisdom as our priority. Please remove foolish ways, foolish talk, and foolish choices from our lives. May we walk in Your wisdom, just as Jesus did.

In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.