Nothing Received from the Lord James 1:7

James, the servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, told his readers who “lack wisdom” to “ask of God” who would give to them “liberally” so they would know how to “count it all joy” in their “temptations”. They were to “ask in faith, nothing wavering” because otherwise they shall be as “a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed”. In chapter one verse seven of his letter, James declared that people who “ask” God in an unbelieving and “wavering” manner will not “receive any thing of the Lord”. We read:

For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

The verse begins, “For let not that man think...” James began with the word “for” which means “as, because, even, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, therefore, verily and yet” “let not that man” or “do not allow that a human being whether male or female” “think” which means “to suppose or imagine”. James didn't want any unbelieving or “wavering” person to “suppose, wonder or imagine” concerning that which he is about to declare.

The verse goes on to say, “...that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” James continued, “that he shall receive” or “take with the hand, lay hold of, carry away, claim or procure for one's self” “anything” which means “any certain something or object” “of the Lord” which refers to “he to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God who is the Messiah”. The person who “wavers” in their “asking wisdom” of the Lord should not expect to “procure or claim” anything from Him.

When we consider these words of James, we should find ourselves warned against “unbelief” and “wavering” when we ask God for “wisdom”. Doubting God puts us in direct opposition to the answer, and should we vacillate between hope and fear, we shall “receive” nothing from the Lord. God Almighty sent His Son Jesus into the world to save sinners from their sin, and when we receive Him as Savior and Lord, we have access to to His gift of “wisdom”. If we are “doubting” Him, let us ask Him to help us to be solid and stable in our requests - “Lord, help my unbelief”.

Next time James tells his readers about a “double minded” man, 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.