Episode 144 - Be confident in God - James 1:5-8
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
We looked at verse 5 of James 1 last week. But, let’s recall the context once again because it is important for us to understand the message James wants to impart to his readers. James informs his readers that they will experience various trials and that God’s purpose in allowing the trials is to refine us and make us complete in the eyes of God.
James follows with the encouragement to ask for wisdom from God. That makes sense. God’s wisdom can help us navigate these trials and to know how to respond to these trials. He assures his readers that God wants to give wisdom to everyone who asks.
In verse 6 however, we discover there is a condition on which the granting of this request is dependent. That condition is that the requestor must ask God “in faith, with no doubting.” What does that mean? Does it mean that if I can convince myself that God will give me a fancy car or home if I just ask confidently enough, He will do it? If we examine the nature of faith throughout the Scriptures, we find that faith is neither “blind” nor “wishful thinking.” Faith is trusting that God will fulfill promises that He explicitly makes. It also means that God acts according to His character. Beginning in Genesis 12, God made a promise to Abraham for numerous descendants and land. In Genesis 15, God made this a covenant promise to Abraham. At the same time, God revealed these descendants of Abraham would be captive in a foreign land for 400 years. Yet, God promised that He would not forget His covenant with Abraham and would deliver these people back to the land He promised to Abraham and his descendants. Abraham believed God. God always demonstrated that He was faithful to what He promised. James is saying that we must respond to God’s promises and character in the same way. The Scriptures reveal that asking for wisdom from God is a good thing. Solomon, upon becoming King of Israel, asked the LORD for wisdom and the LORD was pleased to grant it to him. (1 Kings 3:5-9) The proverbs speak of the value of gaining wisdom. This is why James can confidently assert that anyone who asks God for wisdom, it will be granted to him or her. But, one must believe that God can and will grant it. There is no such promise that God will grant us fancy cars or “stuff.” James has a few words later on about this kind of request as well.
James explains that “the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (v. 6) If you’ve even been in a boat on the water or perhaps on the shoreline of a body of water and watched something floating. It moves up and down and every which way with no certainty of where it will end up. We don’t want our life to be like that, do we? It is important to trust in God’s promises.
In verse 7 we see that this condition is not just about asking for wisdom. James says that a person (who is doubting and unstable) “must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” Faith is not only necessary for wisdom. Faith is to be a part of our everyday life. Getting into the Scriptures and seeking to understand God’s character and promises help us in our confidence in making our requests to God. It lends itself to gaining wisdom that God has revealed within those Scriptures.
It may seem a bit harsh that God requires us to have such strong confidence. Perhaps you don’t always feel so convinced that the Lord will answer your prayers. I know I haven’t always been that confident. I’m reminded of a story in Mark 9:14-29 about a father whose son was controlled by an evil spirit. Jesus’ disciples had not been able to cast out the spirit and the father asked Jesus, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” (Mark 9:22) Does that sound like a man of faith? No way. Jesus calls him out on it. “If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23) The ESV translation has Jesus repeating the man’s words “If you can” but adds an exclamation mark. I suspect that should be a question mark in Jesus’ response. He’s pointing out the man’s doubt and inviting him to believe. I love the man’s response. He says, “I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) He’s admitting to Jesus that his faith is weak, but then uses that little bit of faith to request more. God will grant you faith as well! Isn’t that awesome? God says, “You need faith if you want me to give you what I’m offering to you. What’s that? You want faith? OK. Here you go?”
Prayer: Lord, grant us faith today. Help us grow in our confidence and trust in your word and your promises so that we can exercise that faith to ask you for what you want to give to us. We trust that all of this will lead to you making us complete. Amen!