James 1:5-6

"If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him." James 1:5

My Amplified bible is not divided up in subtitles, but I'm pretty sure many consider this a new point here in verse 5. I'm not so sure it is because isn't it interesting that it falls on the heels of "going through trials"? "If any of you" is a very open and inviting phrase... it doesn't pick on anyone lacking, and the need can even vary, because we all need the kind of wisdom James refers to.

But, James started out with the issue of trials and how to allow them to do what God intended... and so, I believe with all my heart that now with God's "Wisdom", it's time to really assess what is left from the trial... look at where He wants us to go now that our spouse is gone... the home is no longer there... the last child has left the home... whatever the trial was. We need "wisdom" to see his trials in a true light and to profit spiritually from them. Jesus, through James and in the spirit of Psalm 73 and the book of Job, is reminding us that because trials often overwhelm us and now we need God-given wisdom to sort it all out with God now.

But if we are going to sit down with God and seek His wisdom... there is a very important "caveat" to consider. Let's look at verse 6.

6. "Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting)."

Do we believe God will give us the things He asks us to ask for?

It was by faith, nothing wavering, that Noah erected an ark in obedience to the command from God... that Abraham was willing to offer up his beloved Isaac as a sacrifice... that Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the Red Sea... that Joshua and his followers brought the walls of Jericho tumbling down.... that Joseph saw God our The Father and Jesus Christ, His Son.

We must believe that God will give us His wisdom when we ask for it... and to show Him we believe, we must act on it when we receive it... Amen?

Let's pick up with James verse 1:7 next time.

I love you.