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One of the most important parts of a large vessel is a strong anchor. Ships are equipped with this device because it is not a matter of IF the ship will encounter turbulent seas, but a matter of WHEN.

While traveling the open seas of life, we too will face sudden storms where the winds of doubt and the waves of hardship will crash against and beat upon our faith. Fierce adversity can leave us feeling disoriented and confused, uncertain of which way we should go. But THE Captain of our relationSHIP invites us to turn to Him and seek Him for wisdom.

Today’s devotion provides insight into how we should petition God when we encounter problems of life. Oh what an anchor we have in the word of God that steadies us in any storm.

Scripture: James 1:5-8 (ESV)

5 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.

Observations:

  • James opens the book with a strong encouragement to consider it all joy when we face various trials. He explains the key to enduring any storm of life is by seeking God’s wisdom.

  • If any of you lacks wisdom

    • If “any of you” indicating anyone can ask. This invitation is not exclusive for the well behaved, highly educated or the spiritually accomplished, but all who are deficient of God’s direction.

    • The only way to determine a deficiency of wisdom is to take inventory. Note, a position of humility enables us the proper perspective to see our inadequacies. A lofty attitude blinds us of our spiritual deficiencies.

    • Wisdom is at least four things. We can use as an acronym; The G.I.S.T. of wisdom:

      • Guidance - the confidence of knowing where to go.

      • Instruction - the confidence of know what to do.

      • Skill - the confidence of knowing how to do it.

      • Timing - the confidence of knowing when to do it.

  • let him ask God

    • When we are unsure of which direction we should go, there are many sources we can seek. We can ask our friends for their opinions, rely on our feelings, use the “eeny, meeny, miny moe” method or call cleo’s psychic hotline. James however encourages the readers to ask God. Why? God is all-knowing. HIs understanding is beyond measure (Psalm 147:5).

    • God speaks a variety of ways, some of which includes:

      • Through His word; God’s word is a lamp unto our feet and a light… (Psalm 119:105).

      • Through people; in the multitude of the counsel there is safety (Proverbs 11:14).

      • Through dreams and visions; For God may speak in one way…in a dream, in a vision of the night (Job 33:14-15).

  • Who gives generously to all

    • The word “gives” communicates the idea that there is no cost for God’s wisdom. We can’t buy it, we do not deserve it nor can we earn it. It is given; that which is given is a gift.

    • The only way to obtain a gift is to receive it.

    • Not only is wisdom given freely, but it is also given abundantly. What else can a God who is super-abundantly wise do but give wisdom abundantly!

    • The writer reiterates God’s wisdom is available and accessible to all. 

  • without reproach

    • In other words, we do not have to fear coming too frequently to our heavenly Father, or worry He will feel harassed by our continual humble request. 

  • But let him ask in faith, with no doubting

    • The writer instructs us how we should ask for wisdom; that is in faith, with no doubting. Why? Doubting deactivates our faith and displaces our footing, hindering every step of faith we attempt to take, or any position we are charged to hold. For we walk by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

  • for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind

    • This paints the picture of a shifty, easily influenced person, impacted by outside distractions. Peter walked on water, but when he “saw” the wind and the waves he quickly began to sink (Matthew 14:30).

    • Like a ship without an anchor in the midst of a storm, doubt causes us to be unstable; our position dictated by outside influencers instead of being anchored on the rock of God’s word within us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul… (Hebrews 6:19).

  • For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord

    • Doubt displaces us and prevents us from receiving what God has planned for His people.

    • Notice, the scripture does not say God will withhold anything from anyone (Psalm 84:11). Due to inconsistency, those who doubt will be displaced and out of position; this person cannot receive from God because they are not where the promise is. God’s provision for Elijah was at a place called there (See 1 Kings 17:4).

  • he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways

    • Doubt causes a person’s direction to be divided and makes it impossible for them to be wholly devoted to anyone or anything. Divided interest will always result in inconsistency.

    • Note, what makes doubt so dangerous is that it is impossible to make progress. You cannot travel east and west at the same time.

Application:

In the midst of the storms of life, it is essential that we anchor ourselves in the wisdom of God’s strong word. Great suggestions of friends, doing what seems rational to us or taking the practical advice of professionals, cannot compare to God’s wisdom. The scriptures consistently contrast man’s worldly, finite wisdom and God’s infinite wisdom. At times there may be instances where the two intersect, but we must seek first God’s way of doing and being (Matthew 6:33).

We ask God for His wisdom because He is all-knowing. His wisdom is available to all of us in abundant supply; all we simply have to do is ask Him, fully assured and confident He will answer. What is interesting to note, while God clearly promises to give us wisdom, it is not evident when He will give it. Maybe it is treasured in His word, waiting to be excavated and applied to our lives. It could be He is waiting for us to follow the last instruction He gave. Perhaps God’s plan is for us to learn patience while waiting on His guidance, instruction, skill and or timing. Either way, we must hold our position of faith in order to lay hold of the promise of His wisdom.

Prayer:

Gracious God and Father, thank You for the promise in Your word that I can trust. By Your Spirit, help me stand firm in faith for wisdom to navigate all of the ups and downs of life. Forgive me for growing wearing of waiting on You, or becoming hasty in my decisions. I admit, I lack wisdom in many areas. I ask that You would give me the wisdom that I need in order to make well-informed choices, especially during moments of difficulty. Thank You for being my anchor that keeps me constant, steadfast and unmovable. I trust the wisdom of Your word which tells me, those who are planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. This encourages me that it is Your will that I remain firmly planted and to flourish in all areas of my life, in Jesus name I pray, amen.