James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (6) 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. (7) For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Life can be filled with many challenges. When we are facing trials, trying to understand the “why” question can consume our thoughts. As we meet trials of various kinds, (1:2) we are often in need of wisdom to get us through. We must diligently seek God for this wisdom, and he gives it without holding back.
When we come to the Lord and ask for wisdom in faith he will give generously, but when we doubt, we are to expect nothing from the Lord. James describes it as the waves of the sea tossing back and forth as the wind blows them wherever it will. So are we when we ask anything of the Lord without faith. At one moment we are filled with confidence that he will do it, the next we are lost and fearful wondering if the Lord will come through for us. This kind of fear not only affects our prayers, it affects every part of our lives. We are unstable in all our ways. A life without faith is a life filled with fear and uncertainty and will lead us to many things that can be far from the Lord.
Faith is essential in our Christian walk. It is like a conduit that allows us to be filled with the things of God. There are many types of faith spoken of in the Bible. There is saving faith, justifying faith, doctrinal faith and so on… The kind of faith James speaks of here is the type of faith that says, “I know that I know that God will grant me the wisdom I need to endure this specific trial.” It is the day to day dependence on Christ that grows us up in our walk with him and is a vital part of our sanctification process. Asking with faith will open us up to receive what the Lord has for us in abundance.
Today when you face a trial, ask the Lord for the wisdom you need to endure it. Seek Him with all diligence knowing that he will grant you what you need to get through and in no way hold back from you. God gives generously to his children and will not turn aside when we seek him for the wisdom and direction we need in the midst of our difficulties.