A Year of Prayer: Season One Weekday DevotionalsSample

‘Fathom’ is an interesting word.

It comes from an Old English root meaning ‘to embrace or to hug.’ Fathom later gained the meaning ‘to encompass or understand,‘ as in wrapping your head or perception around something. A fathom is also a rough unit of six feet like your extended arms might measure.

All of these meanings of fathom make beautiful sense when applied to the understanding of a God that we cannot measure, wrap our heads or perceptions around, or approximate. So what can we do? Embrace our arms around God’s understanding.

Proverbs 4:7-9 in The Message paraphrase says this:

‘Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get understanding! Throw your arms around her - believe me, you won't regret it; never let her go - she'll make your life glorious. She'll garland your life with grace; she'll festoon your days with beauty.’

Often, we want to measure and weigh, study, and perfect the things of God. But imagine if you measured and weighed your family as they appeared at your doorstep! Imagine if you sought to study and perfect your friends as you broke bread together!

No, all these comprehending relationships must have a whole-body, whole-heart embrace at their core. We must hug wisdom, embrace God, and cherish friends. Then, understanding will reveal herself to us and grant us a garland of grace.

Prayer: Jesus, have mercy on me as I seek to restore temperance, beauty, and a sensitive embrace of your Holy Spirit to my life and world.

Action: When did you last give or receive a good hug? Give someone a hug today.