June 9 – Walking in Understanding
Colossians 1:9
"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge
of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit
gives."
SITREP:
Have you ever felt directionless—even after surviving the
hardest parts of the battle? Understanding God’s will comes through seeking
Him. Ask for His wisdom daily, and He will show you the right path.
Paul wrote this letter to the Colossians while under house
arrest in Rome, praying for a group of believers he had never met in person.
Despite their growing faith, Paul recognized a critical need: they didn’t just
need strength to endure—they needed clarity about where to go and how to live.
In a time and culture full of spiritual confusion, Paul didn’t ask God to
simply bless them—he asked God to guide them.
And he didn’t just pray once. He prayed continually,
asking God to pour out wisdom that only the Holy Spirit can provide.
Breaking Down the Verse:
"We continually ask God…" – This isn’t a
last-ditch prayer. It’s sustained, regular communication. Guidance isn’t a
one-time request—it’s a daily need.
"To fill you with the knowledge of His will…"
– Paul is asking for full awareness of God’s plan—not guesswork or vague
impressions.
"Through all the wisdom and understanding…"
– Not just facts, but clarity. The ability to discern God’s direction with both
mind and heart.
"That the Spirit gives." – This isn’t about
gut instinct or military training. It’s about divine intelligence—orders that
come from God’s Spirit, not your own reasoning.
How This Applies to a Combat Veteran’s Faith:
The battlefield teaches you how to follow orders, adapt, and
survive. But what happens when the war ends and the structure disappears? When
the next mission isn’t handed to you by a CO?
That’s when Colossians 1:9 becomes your field manual.
You might feel like your compass is spinning.
You might be trying to re-enter civilian life but feel more
like a ghost walking through it.
Or maybe you're haunted by what happened and unsure if
there's still a role for you in God’s plan.
There is. And God isn’t just letting you drift—He wants to
direct.
This verse reminds you that wisdom isn’t earned through
combat alone—it’s received through the Spirit. But it requires something first:
asking.
You’ve taken orders before. Now it’s time to seek God’s
orders, one day at a time.
Let the Spirit cut through the emotional fog and show you
what’s next.
Don’t trust your instincts alone—submit your direction to
the One who sees the entire map.
Don’t assume your usefulness ended when the war did. The
mission has changed, but the calling is still active.
ENDEX:
You don’t need to navigate blindly. Colossians 1:9 is
your rally point: report in, ask for guidance, and receive the kind of wisdom
only God’s Spirit can give. The terrain may be different now, but the Commander
is the same—and He’s still issuing orders with precision. Listen. Trust. And
move forward.
AAR:
When you pray—really pray—for yourself or your brothers, what are you asking
for? More comfort? Fewer problems? Or are you asking for the kind of wisdom
that holds under pressure? Colossians 1:9 isn’t a prayer for easy living—it’s a
request for spiritual intelligence that leads to action. So here’s your
check: are you asking God to change your situation, or to change your
understanding of it? You’ve been in ops where the terrain didn’t change, but
your awareness did—and that changed everything. If your spiritual
vision’s been blurry, maybe it’s time to ask for insight that cuts through the
chaos. Don’t just pray for relief. Pray for the ability to see what God’s
really doing.
You’ve worked missions where intel meant survival—where understanding the objective was just as critical as having the right gear. Colossians 1:9 brings that battlefield clarity to your spiritual walk. For the combat veteran, this verse reframes prayer as strategic alignment. It’s not about tossing up wishful thinking—it’s about requesting direct guidance from your Commander. Paul doesn’t pray for comfort—he prays for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding, so that believers move with precision. You weren’t trained to guess—you were trained to assess and act. Spiritually, it’s the same. Pray for eyes that see the mission, not just the mess. Ask for wisdom that leads to movement, not just knowledge. That’s how warriors pray—on target, and for impact.
Make your voice count—share what you’ve lived.
Share your experiences in the comments below. Your words could encourage someone else walking a similar path.
If you're comfortable, include as much or as little personal detail as you’d like. We suggest:
- Name
- Veteran, Retired, Family Member etc.
- Service Branch
- Years of Service (or Deployment Dates and Locations)
Every story matters—and yours might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
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