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Scripture Reading: James 1

When people write to me asking for prayer about what to do in a particular situation, I’ll often include in my reply a quote from James chapter 1.  That’s because James states clearly and emphatically that God loves to pour out His wisdom on those who ask for it.

And because people are facing so many decisions in their lives―whether it’s in regards to their relationships, careers, health, finances, ministries, and so on―I find myself quoting James quite a bit.  Here’s what James says:

“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). 

This is a simple, yet beautiful verse.  It’s simple, because it contains a very basic message:  if you need wisdom, ask God.  It’s beautiful, because it gives you assurance that your prayers are not in vain, that God will give you His wisdom, generously and without reproach―meaning He will not rebuke you for asking.  He knows that your wisdom is limited, and that’s OK.

But believe it or not, as much as you might want to know God’s will for your life, God wants you to know it even more.  He has a vested interest in your decisions, and He is more than willing to help you make them―if you’re willing to ask.

James goes on to say that the way you ask for wisdom will help to ensure that you’ll receive it:  he says to ask for it in faith: 

“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. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:6-8). 

God wants you to come to Him in faith, believing that He will answer you, and believing that His answer is truly the best for you.  Some people come to God wanting to hear His thoughts on a matter first, then they decide whether or not they want to take His advice.  But God wants you to come to Him in faith, with your answer being, “Yes! I’ll do it!” even before He tells you what to do!  He wants to know that you trust Him, that you believe in your heart that He really does know what’s best for you.

What does faith like this look like in real life? If you keep reading in the book of James, you’ll find out:

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:14-17). 

The best kind of faith is faith that is put into action, because faith like this demonstrates to God and to those around you that you really do believe what He says is true.

If you’re wrestling with a decision in your life, I want to encourage you to ask God for wisdom, whether it’s about who to marry, where to live, how to live, how not to live, or any other question that’s on your heart.  Come to God with an expectant heart.  He won’t rebuke you for asking for wisdom.  Instead, He’ll pour out His wisdom on you generously without finding fault.

I’d also encourage you to read through the rest of James chapter 1―and all 5 chapters of the book of James if you can―for his letter contains some of the best wisdom from God on topics like persevering through trials, dealing with temptation, caring for those in need, taming your tongue, praying for healing, and praying in faith.

It might even contain the specific answers to the questions on your heart.  If you need wisdom, ask God.  And when you ask, ask in faith!

Prayer

Father, thank You for assuring us that You love to pour out Your wisdom on us when we ask for it in faith.  Please answer the prayers on our hearts, and give us the wisdom we need to make the best decisions we can in the situations we face.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Memory Verse

“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, ESV).