It Won't Beat You pt. 2

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James 1:5–8 NASB95

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Last week we saw the first adjustment that you need to make when facing trials: Your Perspective

The second adjustment

#2 Adjust Your Petition

How does wisdom link to what was said before?

“The believer will not always know how to persevere nor do they easily find the will to rejoice in future blessings while enduring present trials”

This is why you need WISDOM!

Wisdom comes from the Greek word sophia and it speaks to:

“a technique whereby one can make one’s way through the perils of life to a desired goal”

Wisdom is when one has practiced a skill and has mastered it (emp. on practiced)

It emphasised a knowledge of God’s will coupled with a desire to walk worthy of that will (It is that will that can help us stand worthy in the eschaton)

Knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living

James wants his audience to live according to their faith. Practice based on what they know, even when we face trials, practice your faith.

To do the above you need to be able to hold out in your trials, “counting it all joy” when you face them. - ADJUST YOUR PERSPECTIVE

To do the above James is saying you need ask for wisdom - ADJUST YOUR PETITION

James 1:5 “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

If you come up short and are unable to make the knowledge translate into my walk

If you need it implies that there are times we don’t walk according to what we know

Sometimes I know that God is a Promise-keeper, way maker, provider, refuge - Sometimes I know but it doesn’t translate to do

James says ask - Matthew 7:7 ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” [this is from big brother Jesus]

APPL. Walking right is going to take effort, it’s going to take a determination of will

Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

This is why James is saying you need to ask - “and it will be given”

James 1:6 “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

Faith is certain, sure, stable.

Faith has confidence in who it approaches

James is saying you need to be decided in what you are doing - Ask like there is no one else to turn to but God! - We ask with our plans lurking in the distance

Ecclesiastes 2:26 “For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.”

How can I please God then? Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” - This why I need to ask “in faith”

James 1:7 “For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,”

Have you been asking in faith? No? Maybe that’s why you’re not getting anything

Maybe you’ve been doubting God’s ability to handle the situation/trial.

Maybe you’re saying “God is probably tired of me”.

Maybe you’ve been saying “by now I should know better than this”.

Maybe you’re just going through the motions in prayer, hoping that God picks up on one your requests.

Maybe you’re wondering if God forgave you for the last sin, and you’re doubting that He’s actually on the line for

APPL. We don’t always know when. We’re stuck in time (days, months, years) God watch only says “the right time”

What God wants you to do is to have faith, trust Him

Look back, and see that God has been good/He got you through/made a way - YES HE DID, SO YES HE CAN

James 1:8 “being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

This double-minded person is stuck between two (usually opposing) decisions

Proverbs 8:2 “On top of the heights beside the way, Where the paths meet, she takes her stand;”

1 Chronicles 12:33 “Of Zebulun, there were 50,000 who went out in the army, who could draw up in battle formation with all kinds of weapons of war and helped David with an undivided heart.”

Unstable means restless

Adjust Your Petition

Ask in faith, for wisdom

#1 - Seek Wisdom

#2 - Saturate in Wisdom

#3 - Be Shaped by Wisdom