Tuesday 28th June 2016 - Daily Reading:
James 1:1-18 - Wisdom
Yesterday we took a look at these verses and we focused on verses 2-4, and how we should consider it pure joy when we go through trials, so that our faith can produce perseverance. Today, we are going to move on and focus our attention on verses 5-8, which says "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."
From these verses, we also see that in times of trials and struggles, it is vital that we have wisdom! And how is it that we receive wisdom... well the way that James puts it seems straight forward enough. We should come before God and ask for it! As simple as that... if you are going through a trial, and you are lacking in wisdom of how to deal with things, come before God and simply ask him for the wisdom that you need! He is a God who likes to give to His children generously. If we ask Him for wisdom, He will give us wisdom! That is what James writes here.
However, James is also quick to point out to the reader that when we come to ask God for the wisdom that we need, we should come and ask in FAITH! Just like any other request that we come to God with, we should come in faith, not doubting God's ability or desire to give us His wisdom. The one who is doubtful and lacks faith should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. And James goes on to suggest to the reader that those who come to God with a lack of trust, show that they have an unstable foundation, being able to be 'blown and tossed by the wind.'
James describes these people as being double-minded! And it seems to be in the middle ground between faith and unbelief is what James is describing as being double minded. So my question today is this: In the trials you are going through, do you have the wisdom you need? If the answer is no, have you asked God for the wisdom you need? And when you ask, ask in faith! He gives generously!