James 1

I have always been drawn to the book of James, even though I am confronted and challenged every time I read James. Many times I have stood on verse 5 … “If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.” But I cannot stand on verse 5 apart from verses 6-8, “But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can’t make up their minds. They waiver back and forth in everything they do.”

It’s interesting to watch the ocean water wash up onto the sandy beach. The water comes and goes not of its own choice but because it is driven by gravity, wind, and the tide. And with every coming and going of the ocean water, the sand is rearranged against its will. If the water is violent, it will toss everything in its path and even erode the shore line over time. Doubt will sift our faith just as the ocean water sifts the sand on the beach...back and forth...rearranging... can’t make up our mind... like picking daisy petals... he loves me, he loves me not... I believe Him, I believe Him not.

When we pray and ask God for wisdom, let's expect God to answer us and let's commit to trust and rely totally on Him. As we renew our minds with the Word of God and trust God to do what He says He will do, faith will come and doubt will bow its knee.