Ask for Wisdom

"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. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."  James 1:5-8
 
We learned in the last post that we are to count it all joy when we encounter various trials because these trials are to test our faith and to produce endurance in us so that we are mature and lacking nothing.  As we experience the testing of our faith, it will be difficult and uncomfortable because we are pressed and often times placed in circumstances that are unknown and beyond our control.  Scripture does not imply that this will be easy or that we will be automatically inclined to count it all joy when we are tested at varying degrees; this is why we need the wisdom of God.

Let’s look at James 1 verses 5-8; we see that verse 5 begins with James, through the Holy Spirit, telling believers that if they lack wisdom to ask God for wisdom.  This verse begins with “but” so we must refer back to the previous verses.  So when we review verses 2-4, how would a believer lack wisdom? A believer is lacking wisdom when there is not an understanding of or right thinking about the purpose of trials and the believer is not able to count it all joy.  We can and should ask God to help us understand that things may be beyond our control, as is life in general, but circumstances are never and will never be beyond the control of our omnipotent God for He controls all things and our lives are in His hands.  When we continuously focus upon and meditate upon this truth, we can count it all joy because we are trusting and resting solely in Him and in His promises.  We must understand that asking for wisdom is not a one-time occurrence, we must consistently ask God for wisdom, as we consistently must admit that we need the wisdom of God.

As we continue with this verse, it is very encouraging to read that God generously gives wisdom without reproach.  This tells us that God gives wisdom freely as He gives without rebuke, criticism, disapproval, or disappointment.  Think about this, our heavenly Father who is completely trustworthy understands that we need wisdom, especially during trials, will gives us this wisdom without rebuking us when we ask for His wisdom.  This doesn’t mean that God is not grieved by our distrust in Him; however, He is there to help strengthen our faith and give us what we need in our time of need but we must ask for this wisdom without doubting that He will freely give us the wisdom that we have asked for.
 
Consider this, during times of testing we need the wisdom of God and God tells us how we are to recognize that we need His wisdom.  If we do not trust God and His purpose for trials, if we do not rest in His sovereignty during trials, and if we do not meditate on knowing that He is producing endurance that increases our dependence upon Him and if this does not lead us to counting or considering it all joy, then we need to ask for the wisdom of God because we lack wisdom.

Think of how you need the wisdom of God and ask God today for His wisdom as you go through your tests of faith and ask Him to strengthen your trust in Him even when you don’t fully understand His ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).  He is faithful to give you the wisdom that you ask for when you ask in faith, which we will study in the next post.  Until then, continuously focus on His Word and His faithfulness to do what He says He will do, each time you have thoughts that doubt His character, His integrity, and His love for you.