James the apostle told the
“scattered” members
of the “twelve tribes”
to “count it all joy” when they fell into “divers
temptations” because the “trying of” their faith
“works patience”. They were to allow “patience to
have” it's “perfect work” so they could be
“complete” and “lacking nothing”. In chapter one
and verse five of his letter, James shared what they were to do if
they“lack wisdom” where we read:
If any of you lack
wisdom, let him ask of God,
The
verse begins, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of
God,...” James began with the words, “If any of you”
which refers to “the scattered abroad from the twelve tribes”
“lack” or “leave behind, forsake, lag in, be destitute
of” “wisdom” which means “broad and full intelligence
and knowledge in very diverse matters”, “let him ask” or
“beg, call for, crave, desire and require” “of God”
which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised
of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. James gave
the presumptive condition that there would be those among his readers
who “lack wisdom” especially when they were challenged by
the idea of “counting it all joy” when they face trials.
The verse goes on to say, “...that gives to all men
liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.” James
continued, “that gives” or “grants, supplies and
furnishes” “to all men” which means “to each, every,
any, the whole and everyone” “liberally” or “openly,
frankly and sincerely”, “and upbraids not” which means
“does not reproach, revile or cast in one's teeth”; “and it
shall be given” or“him” which means “his or her
own self”. The Lord “openly furnishes wisdom” to all who
“ask” Him for it, and He does not “reproach or revile”
them for asking.
When we
consider these words of James, we understand there are times where we
do not have the “wisdom” to handle situations and
circumstances. God, who has all knowledge and wisdom, desires that we
come to Him, and He is eager and willing to share “wisdom”
with us. The greatest “wisdom” He affords to those who ask
Him is salvation through Jesus Christ His Son. We make our most
“wise” decision when we choose to receive Jesus as Savior and
Lord. Once we do that, the Lord is ready to provide the “wisdom”
it takes to make difficult decisions, endure life, face challenges
and obey what He commands. As we “count it all joy” in our
“trials”, let us remember, God has abundant “wisdom”
available for us to know how to manage them.
Next
time James tells his readers to ask in“faith”
“without wavering”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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