Ask in faith, without doubt

James 1:5-8
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that a double minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord."

"...and it will be given to him." So, when I face circumstances that I find uncomfortable, or even heartbreaking ... I should ask the Lord to pull me out of those circumstances, right? "Fix it, Dad!"

Hmmm. Think again.

Just a few lines away from our opening scripture is this line: "Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him."

The key, then, is the initial recommendation to seek the wisdom of God ... to discern HIS will and to move boldly forward into whatever circumstances this life presents. IN CHRIST we can defeat anything this world or the enemy send our way. We are called to fully embrace the gift of faith, even when our senses tell us to take things into our own hands. Death has lost its sting, the Father offers the crown of life (eternal!) to those who claim the redemption of the cross and kneel before him, acknowledging him as the one and only God.

Rather than praying against any trials in my life, I pray, Father, that I would be inspired to ask for the wisdom and strength necessary for the challenge ... to persevere until such time you remove me from trying circumstances. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Seeking His wisdom

This morning, gathered with three brothers before the break of day, I was blessed with a reminder of the priceless value of the gift of wisdom. Our men's group, after all, is built around the common denominators of fatherhood and a desire to be godly husbands/fathers. Today there was reference to last Sunday's teaching, which focused on Proverbs 1 and the subject of wisdom. There we read in part (Prov. 1:7):

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline (instruction)."

From the beginning, I have felt privileged to be part of this dad's group. I am the only man there with adult children AND grandchildren to boot. Today, as we shared and prayed, I was reminded once again what a great gift it was to live a childhood with role models including a godly father and grandfather. I was reminded what a gift it is to live in continued fellowship with godly men such as those in this "dad's group."

I was also reminded that my ongoing prayers for wisdom should include a request for discernment -- Holy Spirit promptings such as when to speak and when to stay silent; when to engage, and when to walk away; when to pray against challenging circumstances, and when to pray that those circumstances might be embraced, recognized as God's tools.

Most of all, I recall today that I must rely on the Lord for the wisdom -- and the courage -- to see and deny my natural inclinations to place myself above Him and others. I give thanks for his limitless grace.