Just Ask.

I can’t promise to do everything that my kids would like but I can promise to listen to them and hear them out. As a parent, I want to know what they want. There is a fatherly interest in their desires and needs. If they approach me and ask for something that my wife and I know would be beneficial for them, we will likely grant their request.

That is the scenario of James 1: asking for wisdom if you lack it. This begs the question, if you are asking for wisdom, is it because you already have a dose of wisdom in you and you are hungry for more? This is one of those good requests that God loves to answer.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).

How is this guarantee tied to us? James goes on to say that this is by faith. In other words, do you trust that God has eternally loved you and is deeply interested in you? He finds you fascinating. Do you believe that? He cares about your best interests; do you trust that as a reality? If so, then read this next verse: “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.” (James 1:6).

Ask in faith; ask while trusting that God has this intense interest in you. For some, this is easy. You grew up in a world that is favorable to you. So it is only natural that you believe God would be interested in who you are and where you are going. But for others, life and its terms and conditions were not as favorable and we are skeptical of God also. If you fall into the category of being wishy-washy on how much you trust God, no worries. Simply look at His character and His attitude toward humanity. Especially as we view the Gospels, we get to see the positive virtuousness of God in the person of Jesus. He cares. He is concerned.

So when our desire for more wisdom springs from lack, He cares, He listens and He comes through for you.

Blessings to you this week as you ponder His amazing attributes and His love for you.

In Christ,

Pastor Al