Daily Bible Reading – 9.15.2021
James 1:5-8, 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.
We must approach God in absolute faith. If we doubt whether God will give wisdom or not, we are really doubting God’s character, His goodness and His power. Then, we have no stability in time of trouble.
James gives us the visual of the surge of the sea, rising to great heights, then falling back into valleys, tossed and troubled. The tossing of the unpredictable and erratic sea waves is a picture of the one who rests on God’s promises one moment but the next thinks God has forgotten to be kind. Such a double-minded faith that quickly shifts between hope and despair does not honor God. It reveals a person who is not able to receive the gift of wisdom because the required faith is not there to accept it.
The faith that is required believes that God is all-good, all-loving, and all-powerful, and is eager to give us wisdom to live pleasingly unto Christ Jesus. However, if we have lingering fears and doubts, rather than give up, let us be honest with God.
When a demon-possessed boy was brought by his father, he, then, said to Jesus, “if you can do anything to help us…” Jesus replied, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes.” The boy’s father said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Jesus honored such honesty and heartfelt plea to believe. God will do the same for us as we show a willing heart and deep desire to be full of faith in the midst of a crisis.
Questions to Consider:
Are there circumstances in your life where you have difficulty having single-minded unwavering faith? How can others pray for you?
Weekly Memory Verse:
James 1:5, 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.