Lacking & Asking

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 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 1:5-8

We all have someone in our lives that we consider wise. Someone who by years of experience has been where we are or at least can give the best advice on what we should do. In today’s passage, James tells us that if we lack wisdom and ask God for it, He will give it generously, no matter who we are—as long as we ask in faith. However, if we look closer, we will see that only believers will receive wisdom when they ask in faith (how can an unbeliever ask in faith?). But, it’s not just any wisdom, but wisdom directly connected to the preceding verses, which say,

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”—James 1:2-4.

The wisdom God gives is intimately tied to undergoing trials for one’s faith, and it is only given through petitionary prayer. God gives wisdom when asked in order that we might best understand how to redeem our suffering for His kingdom use. Our temptation is to say, “Why am I suffering? Why am I going through this trial?” Sometimes God reveals that to us, but more often than not, we are forced to endure the trial, resting in the knowledge that we may not understand now, but we will in eternity.

Rather than demand God explain to us the reason for our suffering, or accusing Him of directly causing it, our response should be, “How can I understand my suffering from God’s perspective? What is God trying to teach and change in me? How can I use this storm of life to grow in my knowledge and relationship with Him? How can I pass through this storm so that God might be seen in me?” And when we ask God for wisdom in order to understand these types of questions, God will give it to us.

Warren Wiersbe, an author and former pastor, writes about a secretary of his who was going through a series of painful trials—she had had a stroke, her husband had gone blind, and had been taken to the hospital where, as far as she knew, he was going to die. Wiersbe saw her in church one Sunday morning and let her know that he was praying for her. She responded to his concern with a question, “What are you asking God to do?” He answered, “I’m asking God to help you and strengthen you.” She replied, “I appreciate that, but pray about one more thing. Pray that I’ll have the wisdom not to waste all of this!” Wiersbe remarks, “She knew the meaning of James 1:5.”—Warren Wiersbe, “Be Mature,” Victor Books, p. 29.

God responds to our lack of wisdom when we ask—but we must ask. And we must ask in faith—without doubting. He answers those who come to Him expecting to receive. Amen.