3/1/13: I am in the midst of a research project at UCSD concerning cartilage healing. It has caused me to continue to think about invention and discovery. Do the ideas come out of no where or from nothing? Are the ideas a creation of one’s mind? It has seemed as both may be true. I now want to give this some more thought.
If you continue reading, understand that I have accepted and agreed with the premise that the Bible is God’s inspired Word (1 Tim 3:16) and that the sum of or the totality of this Word is truth. (Psalm 119:160 and John 17:17). The Greek word here is “logos”, or Word universal.
I used to think the word invention best described the activity of getting new ideas that would be the basis for a patent. Subsequently it has occurred to me that discovery is the better term, especially in view of the Word and my experience. If I accept that all wisdom and knowledge is hid in Christ Jesus (Colossians 2:3) then I am not inventing it but discovering through His revelation to me.
Though experience I have come to the conclusion that I have never generated an idea, that I only have received them. My mind is not a generator in this endeavor, but a receiver. This was confirmed years ago when while working to invent a surgical tool. The Word came to me by prophetic revelation that the designed belonged to me and I would be given the idea. In addition, it was revealed exactly how the idea would be delivered; “in a millisecond”. It happened exactly this way, leaving no doubt about the origin of the idea. The tangible signs of the confirmation were realized in the following patents concerning motorized instrumentation for arthroscopic surgery.
4,203,444 Surgical Instrument suitable for closed surgery such as of the knee(arthroscopy) 5/20/1980
4,274,414 Surgical Instrument (arthroscopic shaver) 6/23/1981
I am now settled that this endeavor is discovery and not invention. Although my mind, the library of Congress, or a University of higher learning may be used in the discovery, they are not the origin of this wisdom. In Daniel 2:20-22 it makes the following statements; wisdom and power belong to God; He gives wisdom to wise men; It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; light dwells with Him. It is the God in heaven who reveals mysteries. (Daniel 2:28) It seems that a relationship with Him is optimal for discovery.
The Extent of the Revelation: God may give knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom. He even grants understanding of supernatural events like dreams and visions (Daniel 1:17)
How does one get this Revelation? It occurs by request through prayer, even intercessory prayer as indicated in Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians’ church that the spirit of wisdom and revelation would be available to the believers. (Ephesians 1:17) …that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
God responds to requests for wisdom. (Daniel 2: 23) He gives liberally to all men. (James 1:5) “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
It appears God is not a respecter of persons in this matter any more than any other matter. Daniel recognizes he is nothing special, but just the conduit God chose for this given purpose. (Daniel 2: 30) But as for me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living has this mystery been revealed to me, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind. Daniel also recognizes he must maintain a pure motive in handling Godly revelations. (Daniel 5:17) Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription to the king and make the interpretation known to him.”
Neither the request nor the response is based upon the merit of the person making the request, but upon the nature of God. (Daniel 9:18) “…..for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion.” The basis is God’s grace.
Nature of the Revelation: The information from God is much better than other sources, even 10 times than what the non believer may have. (Daniel 1:20). In Daniel 5:11-14 we see the factors God placed in Daniel for these purposes: “extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of enigmas and solving of difficult problems were found in this Daniel.”
And a person of position and power recognized these where these characteristics came from. (Daniel 5:11) “There is a man in your kingdom in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, illumination, insight and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him.” In addition, the person of position and power recognized the characteristics. (Daniel 5:14) “Now I have heard about you that a spirit of the gods is in you, and that illumination, insight and extraordinary wisdom have been found in you.”
God also provides the means of gaining exposure for His revelations through favor with influential people. (Daniel 1:9)
So when embarking upon discovery one should pray with Daniel’s motives and his pure heart that we would have the Spirit of God grant us illumination, insight, extraordinary wisdom, knowledge, and the explanation of enigmas and ability for solving of difficult problems.