Devotional - September 21, 2022
Scripture: 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.
Hopefully today's devotional will be a little less challenging than the last one. Some would balk at this, they think all spiritual work has to be arduous, taxing, and in some manner, sacrificial. That is not so, all of the instruction that God gives us is for our highest good. If the books of James or even Matthew were marketed like the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People or The Purpose Driven Life, they would have sold millions of copies by now. Put it in the Bible and some consider it restrictive or difficult. Yet, they should read it as vigorously as the contemporary books are read. Today, most people, if given the choice, would rather receive a miracle than wisdom. Even though receiving wisdom may keep them from needing a miracle. Jesus often counseled His followers against needing signs or miraculous events (John 4: 48). They become the hook that the deceiver uses to pull people away from the faith (Matt 24:24). Folks want the miracles, but not the God or the Godly life that goes with them. But, that is nothing new for you. I know there have been times in your life where people have wanted things from you, but you know in your heart how they feel about you. In times like these, you get a taste of what God experiences on a regular basis. But, as James points out, that does not keep God from giving wisdom to whoever calls out in need of it. The doubting that James refers to in the text links back to God's willingness to give. Some think James is referring to their efforts, the strength of their belief, that will elicit a response from God, rather than believing in God's willingness to give wisdom. One can see the difference in drawing water. If you are doing so by way of a hand pump, you better get to it. It will take a lot of effort on your part before anything comes out of the spicket. But if you are drawing water from a fresh, flowing stream, all you need is a bucket. Another problem occurs when we look into the bucket. We may not like what we see, or hear, from God. Not to mention, there are some who have not spent enough time with God to know if what they are looking at is from God or something else (John 10: 27-30). If this is the case, simply express it to God and stay faithful in abiding with God (John 15:4). Do not get in a rush, or panic, God will provide the wisdom you seek. If you are struggling, then ask God to work in your heart (mind, body and soul) as you continue to resolve your issue. At times, because we struggle, our hearts can harden (Matt 13:4). By asking, you are admitting to God that there may be some things occuring in you that are causing problems. I am not talking about fault finding, when I talk about problems (issues). By doing this, you are being humble and that is key, because your Savior, and Teacher, is humble (Matt 11:29). James ends this teaching talking about being double-minded and he is right to do so... At some point, we have to answer the question. Do we really want to hear from God? It may not come as an audible voice, God may enlighten us in another way, but do we want to receive what God has for us? Or, do we have a lot of "ifs", "buts" and "ands" for God in relation to what God wants to reveal? While you are working through this, try to remember the goodness of God (Ps 38:4). All the men and women of God in the Bible came to understand God's goodness, sooner or later. It's not a story, it is the truth. And, thank You God for it.
Pray with me... Holy God, You give us so much each day, in so many ways. Yet, we struggle with it. Quicken our faith, teach us O God. Hear our prayers for our loved ones, bless them according to their needs. Hear our hearts this day, O God. Our concerns, grant us the peace that surpasses all understanding. Bless our church O God, lead us so we can be the people You call us to be, in Jesus name, Amen
God's peace,
Pastor Brian
