September 23
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,” James 1:5-7.
Today, we emphasize the importance of getting a good education. There is a close relationship between one’s education and one’s occupation. Many occupations require very specific education and training. For each occupation or position in life, a certain knowledge of facts and details is required to do a good job.
However, even if one is highly educated, it does not mean that the person has a lot of wisdom. There are many educated ignoramuses. How do we understand the word ‘wisdom’? It can refer to a high degree of knowledge, or it can refer to just plain common sense. We need wisdom to cope and deal with the many challenging and changing situations in life.
In real life, there are situations for Christians, as well as for others, where one is at his or her wits’ end, not being able to deal with or resolve a certain situation. James writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God.” In every situation, whether we are speaking of physical or spiritual matters, let us turn to God for wisdom. Search the Scriptures and pray, and you will be given wisdom for any and every situation. God responds and gives liberally to all who ask Him.
When we are speaking of spiritual matters and salvation, the only wise thing to do is turn to the Gospel message of God’s love revealed in the sending of His Son to be our Savior. It is spiritual foolishness to trust in ourselves or our good deeds and think that we can gain our own salvation. There is only one way to be saved. Trust God’s Word: “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast,” Ephesians 2:8-9. Salvation is ours through faith in Jesus as God’s Son and our Savior, who suffered, died, and rose again to deliver us from sin, death, and the power of the devil.
God has promised to hear and answer every proper prayer at His own time and in His own way. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord says, “‘For a mere moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies I will gather you. With a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,’ says the Lord, your Redeemer,” Isaiah 54:7-8.
Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you,” John 16:23, and, “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive,” Matthew 21:22.
James adds, “Let him ask in faith, with no doubting.” Unbelief or doubting is an insult to God, and it is calling Him a liar! James concludes, “Let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.”
“Lamb of God, we fall before Thee,
Humbly trusting in Thy Cross.
That alone be all our glory;
All things else are only dross.
Jesus gives us true repentance,
By His Spirit sent from heav’n;
Whispers this transporting sentence,
‘Son, thy sins are all forgiven.’
Faith He grants us to believe it,
Grateful hearts His love to prize;
Want we wisdom? He must give it,
Hearing ears and seeing eyes.” Amen.