Let’s be honest for a moment. Sometimes reading the Bible can be incredibly frustrating.

That’s how I was feeling one afternoon as I found myself rereading the same chapter at the beginning of 2 Corinthians for about the fifth time. Other thoughts kept popping up in my mind, distracting me. I would pause, pray for God to keep me focused and to speak to me, and then try again.

It didn’t help that I was also really struggling to understand what the apostle Paul was trying to say to the church in Corinth. But I kept reading, reminding myself of the importance of getting to know God’s heart, even when it’s challenging. 

That’s when 2 Corinthians 3:16 hit me: “But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.”

The veil. That nebulous, frustrating confusion that sometimes accompanies our Bible time and other interactions with God. The veil that prevents us from seeing Him or His will clearly.

I know that God wants me to know Him. He wants me to understand His Word and speak to me through it. James 1:5 reminds us that “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.” But I also know that I am human. How could I possibly understand the mind of God with my tiny human pea-brain?

By simply asking Him to give me understanding. 

It seems almost too simple. And yet, King Solomon, who was considered the wisest of all the kings of Israel, did the very same thing. In 1 Kings 3, when God came to Solomon during the night in a dream, Solomon was given a mind-blowing opportunity: “Ask for whatever you want Me to give you,” God said.

“Whatever you want Me to give you”? As in … anything?? 

Solomon could have asked for power, riches, land, or women. He could have asked for children or vast stores of knowledge or world peace. And yet, after reflecting on all of God’s goodness to him and his father David over the years, Solomon’s request was this: “Give Your servant a discerning heart” (verse 9).

Solomon asked for wisdom. Not for himself and his own glory, but in order to “govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” Solomon wanted more wisdom in order to better serve God. What a pure request, the desire to hear from God, the desire to see the veil drawn away! How often do I make a similar prayer request? 

The best part is knowing that God wants to answer our prayers for godly wisdom; He wants us to know and understand Him. Because in growing to know Him, we are also becoming like Him. 2 Corinthians 3 ends with this promise: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord” (verse 18).

God and the wisdom He gives has the power to transform our lives, to open our eyes, to remove every veil of confusion. All it takes is for us to come to God and, like Solomon, say, “Give Your servant a discerning heart.” An unveiled heart.

This post was written by a group of volunteer writers who strive to share God's truth through an online platform, but may not reflect the views of The Vineyard Church as a whole. To learn how you can get involved, email us at  .

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